Gospel Light Minute X with Daniel Whyte III

Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over twenty books. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry which publishes a monthly magazine called The Torch Leader. He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts, The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel's Report and the Second Coming Watch Update. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor's degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master's degree in Religion and a Master of Divinity degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica for twenty-five years. God has blessed their union with seven children.

In our last message, we began looking at the times of the Gentile nations. Under God's original plan, the Israelites were meant to be a shining light and witness to the heathen nations around them. However, they rebelled against God and did not follow His commandments consistently. So, instead of being blessed and being a blessing to the Gentile nations, they ended up being punished by God through the Gentile nations. The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, conquered Judah, carrying the people of Israel from their land, thus beginning the times of the Gentile nations -- the period in Earth's history when Gentiles would have supremacy over the Jewish people.

Beginning with the Babylonians, a succession of Gentile empires rose and fell. After the Babylonians came the Persians and then the Greeks followed by the Romans. Rome was in control when Jesus Christ was born. During their control of the region known as Palestine, they had to put down several Jewish rebellions and uprisings. In fact, part of the reason why the Roman ruler, Pilate, agreed to have Jesus crucified was because he did not want to give the Jews another cause for an uprising. It was a very tense time in the region: the Jews had hopes of a Messianic Savior who would overthrow the Romans, and the Romans wanted to quell any notion of such a deliverer.

It is in this context that we come to our passage for today in which Jesus uses the term "times of the Gentiles." As Jesus and his disciples were in the Temple complex, Jesus noticed that the disciples were speaking of how beautiful the Temple structure was, how rich and imposing it looked. Jesus says to his disciples, "As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." It would have been almost anathema for a devout Jew to say such a thing. So you can understand the disciples; concern when they ask, "Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?"

Jesus takes this opportunity to deliver a prophetic sermon which speaks not only of the conditions surrounding His second coming, but also of the very near future of the Jewish people. He says, "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." The "desolation" Jesus is speaking of is the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Warren Wiersbe comments, "Luke's account refers not to a distant event to occur during the Tribulation but to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus and the Roman army in A.D. 70, just forty years from that time. This terrible event was in many respects a 'dress rehearsal' for what will happen when Satan vents his anger on Israel and the believing Gentiles during the last half of the Tribulation. The Jewish historian Josephus claimed that over a million people were killed by the Romans, and over 100,000 taken captive when Titus captured the city."

Corrie ten Boom said, "Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #244. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 3:3 which reads: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Casting Crowns. They said, "People aren't confused by the Gospel. They're confused by us. Jesus is the only way to God, but we are not the only way to Jesus. This world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie, my denomination or my interpretation of the Bible. They just need Jesus. We can be passionate about what we believe, but we can't strap ourselves to the Gospel, because we are slowing it down. Jesus is going to save the world, but maybe the best thing we can do is just get out of the way."

Donald Miller said, "If we are not willing to wake up in the morning and die to ourselves, perhaps we should ask ourselves whether or not we are really following Jesus."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #243. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 2:38 which reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Rich Mullins. He said, "Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken."

Thomas Jefferson said, "The genuine and simple religion of Jesus will one day be restored: such as it was preached and practiced by Himself."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #242. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 8:58 which reads: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Erwin Raphael McManus. He said, "Love, no matter how you come at it, is a huge risk. It makes it easier for me to remember that God will never reject me because I am not good enough and that any community that has His heart will embrace me as I am. Jesus invites us into a community where imperfect people can find acceptance, love, forgiveness, and a new beginning."

As we have been studying this passage of Scripture, we have seen the humility, the bravery, the submissiveness, and the fortitude of Jesus Christ. I am sure that all of us would say that, when it comes to the matter of prayer and doing God's will, we want to be like Him. However, in this message, we are going to shift gears and look at the disciples; because I am afraid that most of us more often end up like the disciples in this passage rather than our Lord.

Our passage tells us that Jesus Christ is agonizing in prayer. Three distinct times, we are told that Jesus separates himself and goes to pray. In fact, you can think of it as a boxing match with three rounds. Jesus goes and, through prayer, does battle against His own will, against the temptation of the devil, and against the weakness of His human body. After each of these rounds, Jesus comes back to His "corner" (that is, where He left His disciples), and instead of finding them supporting Him, praying with Him, and cheering Him on, He finds them sleeping. The text says, "And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

How many times have you sat down or knelt down to pray and soon felt sleepy, lethargic, tired, and weary? The body -- that is, our flesh -- does not like such discipline. It rebels against rigors of any type, but especially spiritual rigors. Now, our spirit wants to pray; the Holy Spirit spurs us on to prayer. But, often, we let our flesh overrule our spirit and we end up cutting our prayer time short, rushing through our prayer time, or not praying at all. That is what happened to the disciples.

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #241. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 6:35 which reads: "I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Spencer W. Kimball. She said, "Jesus said several times, 'Come, follow me.' His was a program of 'do what I do,' rather than 'do what I say.' His innate brilliance would have permitted him to put on a dazzling display, but that would have left his followers far behind. He walked and worked with those he was to serve. His was not a long-distance leadership. He was not afraid of close friendships; he was not afraid that proximity to him would disappoint his followers. The leaven of true leadership cannot lift others unless we are with and serve those to be led."

Max Lucado said, "God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #240. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Angela Bassett. She said, "When you realize that every breath is a gift from God. When you realize how small you are, but how much He loved you. That He, Jesus, would die, the son of God himself on earth, then you just weep."

St. Augustine of Hippo said, "Because God has made us for Himself, our hearts are restless until they rest in Him."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #239. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 13:8 which reads: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Brennan Manning. He said, "My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it."

He is an actor who is best known for his television roles as Bright Abbott in "Everwood" and Andy Dwyer in "Parks and Recreation". He played supporting roles in films such as "Wanted", "Moneyball", "Zero Dark Thirty", and "Delivery Man" among others. He was the lead actor in the blockbuster films "The Lego Movie" and "Guardians of the Galaxy". He replaced Josh Brolin as the lead in the film, "Jurassic World".

In an interview with Esquire magazine, he shared his "born again" story. He said,

"In Maui, about four weeks before I was discovered to go to California, I was hanging with my buddy. I wasn't quite old enough to drink, so we got somebody to go in and buy us some alcohol.

This guy came by and was like, 'What are you doing tonight?' I was like, 'Oh, I dunno. I was just gonna wait out here, my friends are gonna buy me a bottle of Carlo Rossi and a sixer of Milwaukee's Best Ice.

So he's like, 'Will you fornicate tonight?' I was like, 'I hope so.'

'And drugs and drinking?' It's like, 'Most likely, yeah. Probably all three of those things. I mean, at least two of them, possibly all three.'

The guy was like, 'I stopped because Jesus told me to stop and talk to you. He said to tell you you're destined for great things.'

My friends came out, and I was like, 'Hey, I'm gonna go with this guy.'

"I gave my soul to Jesus within, like, two days. I was stuffing envelopes for his organization, Jews for Jesus. I'm not even sure, at that age—I was nineteen years old—I knew what Jewish was."

"A few days later, sober and filled with Christian Jews for Jesus vigor, I returned to the beach. I ran into a friend, a pastor's daughter who was smoking meth and whoring around, and told her what I'd been up to. She asked me to get her to church. I called my new sponsor on a pay phone, and she became a Youth with a Mission pastor."

"I feel a little bit like my entire purpose was to get her."

"I see how if a different man had approached me, things could have gone badly. But it was this man who was sent by God to save me from jug wine, and then saved that woman from drug addiction."

"A month later, while I was waiting tables at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., a director told me I was special and I moved to California to star in the 2000 horror comedy Cursed Part III.

"Now, I have my eyes on the prize. The big picture is my wife and my son and I living somewhere other than L.A., just being able to be a Boy Scout leader, drink beer on Saturday, go to church on Sunday, having fun. I could coach him in football. That's the goal, and I need to do as many big movies as I can while there's still time. Because you never know what's next."

When his son was born prematurely, he and his wife relied on God to heal baby Jack. He said, We were scared for a long time. We prayed a lot. It restored my faith in God, not that it needed to be restored, but it really redefined it. The baby was so beautiful to us, and I look back at the photos of him, and it must have been jarring for other people to come in and see him, but to us he was so beautiful and perfect."

His top 5 verses for social media are: Psalm 34:18, Proverbs 22:6, Psalm 126:3, 1 John 2:10-11, and Psalm 107:19-21.

Soul singer, Curtis Mayfield, wrote a popular song titled "People Get Ready." It was first recorded by the Impressions in 1965 and has since been named by Rolling Stone magazine as the 24th greatest song of all time, by Britain's Mojo magazine as one of the ten best songs of all time, and it was included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. It has influenced a wide range of singers such as Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Michelle Wright, Bruce Springsteen, and John Mayer.

The song carries an important message which Mayfield said was influenced by the message of the church.

In this song, the train is a metaphor for Jesus Christ -- the only person by whom we can get to Heaven. The difference between the train to Heaven and regular trains, however, is that (1) you don't have to take anything with you because everything you could ever need or want will be at your destination, and (2) you don't have to pay for a ticket to get on this train ride to Heaven.

Ernest Renan said, "Whatever may be the surprises of the future, Jesus will never be surpassed... The greatest among the sons of men. His suffering will melt the noblest hearts and bring forth tears from innumerable eyes."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #238. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Anne Lamott. She said, "I have to put my energy into working to do what I believe Jesus instructs his followers, which is to care for the weakest, the least of his people, which includes prisoners and the poorest of the poor and the oldest and most exhausted."

When we hear the phrase "songs in the night" our minds are filled with two thought patterns that are at odds with each other. When we think of a song, we think of joy, happiness, laughter, and good times. However, when we think of night, we think of darkness, sadness, grief, despair, and gloom. Only in God's Word do we find something so paradoxical as songs in the night. There is another passage in Scripture that uses the phrase "songs in the night." In Job 35:10, Elihu says, "Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night?" Listen to how Spurgeon expounds on this seemingly contradictory phrase, "songs in the night."

He said, "Night is one of the greatest blessings men enjoy; we have many reasons to thank God for it. Yet night is to many a gloomy season. There is 'the pestilence that walketh in darkness;' there is 'the terror by night;' there is the dread of robbers and of disease, with all those fears that the timid know, when they have no light wherewith they can discern objects. Night is the season of terror and alarm to most men. Yet even night hath its songs. Have you never stood by the seaside at night, and heard the pebbles sing, and the waves chant God's glories? Or have you never risen from your bed, and thrown open the window, and listened there? Listened to what? Silence—save now and then a murmuring sound, which seems sweet music then. And have you not fancied that you heard the harp of God playing in heaven? Did you not conceive, that the distant stars looking down on you, were also mouths of song—that every star was singing God's glory." He goes on to say, "Man, too, like the great world in which he lives, must have his night. And many a night do we have—nights of sorrow, nights of persecution, nights of doubt, nights of bewilderment, nights of anxiety, nights of oppression, nights of ignorance—nights of all kinds, which press upon our spirits and terrify our souls."

I am sure that all of us present today can identify with the "night" as described by Spurgeon. We have each had nighttime situations in our lives. Night time time represents a time of trial; a time of suffering; a time of heartache and pain; a time of difficulty; a time of broken fellowship. Rest assured that as long as you are living on this earth you will have your night time. However, Jesus Christ tells us in John 16:33 that no matter what is going on in our lives, we are to "be of good cheer." He said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." In other words, you ought to be able to sing a song in the night.

When we hear the phrase "songs in the night" our minds are filled with two thought patterns that are at odds with each other. When we think of a song, we think of joy, happiness, laughter, and good times. However, when we think of night, we think of darkness, sadness, grief, despair, and gloom. Only in God's Word do we find something so paradoxical as songs in the night. There is another passage in Scripture that uses the phrase "songs in the night." In Job 35:10, Elihu says, "Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night?" Listen to how Spurgeon expounds on this seemingly contradictory phrase, "songs in the night."

He said, "Night is one of the greatest blessings men enjoy; we have many reasons to thank God for it. Yet night is to many a gloomy season. There is 'the pestilence that walketh in darkness;' there is 'the terror by night;' there is the dread of robbers and of disease, with all those fears that the timid know, when they have no light wherewith they can discern objects. Night is the season of terror and alarm to most men. Yet even night hath its songs. Have you never stood by the seaside at night, and heard the pebbles sing, and the waves chant God's glories? Or have you never risen from your bed, and thrown open the window, and listened there? Listened to what? Silence—save now and then a murmuring sound, which seems sweet music then. And have you not fancied that you heard the harp of God playing in heaven? Did you not conceive, that the distant stars looking down on you, were also mouths of song—that every star was singing God's glory." He goes on to say, "Man, too, like the great world in which he lives, must have his night. And many a night do we have—nights of sorrow, nights of persecution, nights of doubt, nights of bewilderment, nights of anxiety, nights of oppression, nights of ignorance—nights of all kinds, which press upon our spirits and terrify our souls."

I am sure that all of us present today can identify with the "night" as described by Spurgeon. We have each had nighttime situations in our lives. Night time time represents a time of trial; a time of suffering; a time of heartache and pain; a time of difficulty; a time of broken fellowship. Rest assured that as long as you are living on this earth you will have your night time. However, Jesus Christ tells us in John 16:33 that no matter what is going on in our lives, we are to "be of good cheer." He said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." In other words, you ought to be able to sing a song in the night.

1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

Satan is a defeated foe. One day, he and his evil spirits will be cast into the lake of fire, and they will never cause trouble again. But meanwhile, he is very active. Satan goes about "as a roaring lion" tempting, deceiving, destroying. No child of God is able in himself to cope with this terrible foe. Only through Christ can we overcome him. God's Word tells us, "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." We are not to be strong in ourselves, but we are to be strong in the Lord. Christ is the Victor over Satan, and we are to be strong in Him.

The Book of Revelation speaks of "overcomers"—believers who overcame Satan. The Bible tells us the secret of how they overcame him. It is a three-fold secret. The Bible says in Revelation 12:11:

"And they overcame him (Satan) (1) by the blood of the Lamb, (2) and by the word of their testimony; (3) and they loved not their lives unto the death."

Let us consider each of these three things and see how we can use them to overcome Satan.

In our study of end time prophecy, we have dealt with God's plan for Israel. Now, we turn our attention to God's plan for the Gentile nations. As we look around at the world today, we can't help but ask, "What in the world is going on?" Why is there so much trouble? Why is there so much strife? Why is there so much unrest? Why is there constant war and terror and violence? Has God abandoned the world, leaving it to a demise of its own making? Or is there a larger plan at work?

Despite these concerns, what we see in the world today is not really the problem. What we are actually seeing is the symptoms of the problem. The real problem is that the nations have rejected God and God's word. As Psalm 2 says, "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed." Many of the leaders of this world have brushed aside Biblical truth and are trying to do things their way. Imagine if you were the mayor of a large city, and no matter how many laws you implemented or how heavy you made the jail sentences, the people in your city refused to obey the law. There was anarchy, day and night, in the streets. No one feared the police anymore. In fact, the entire police force rebelled and joined the criminals in the street. If you can imagine that, then you can imagine some of what God feels when He looks down at this world gone mad.

But is there an endgame to all of this? Yes, there is. To understand that endgame, we must go back to the beginning of the "times of the Gentiles" or "the times of the nations."

The term, "times of the Gentiles", was first used by Jesus Christ during a prophetic discourse. In Luke 21, He said, "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." (We are going to look at that passage in its context in the near future.) The word Gentiles simply means nations other than Israel. And just as God has a plan that He is working out for Israel, there is a plan that He is working out for the nations.

CeCe Winans said, "Jesus is the truth, the light, He's the way. He orders my footsteps, gives me what I need and tells me how to live. Jesus is life. And we need Him more now than ever."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #237. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 6:35 which reads: "I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from K.P. Yohannan. He said, "I believe, as followers of Christ, we are commanded to reach out to the least of these in the name of Jesus and show them they matter a great deal to God, who sacrificed His only Son to reach them with His love."

Origen said, "When Jesus then is with the multitudes, He is not in His house, for the multitudes are outside of the house, and it is an act which springs from His love of men to leave the house and to go away to those who are not able to come to Him."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #236. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 10:14-15 which reads: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Jonny Lang. He said, "I realized that [even if] you've been totally blaspheming Jesus your whole life, he still loves you and is going to touch your life. He's going to reveal himself to you and forgive you."

Billy Ray Cyrus said, "A lot of people think Christianity is about always being perfect. It's actually the opposite of that. It's realizing that we're all humans, and that's why God sent his Son to this earth—to save people."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #235. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 19:25-26 which reads: "When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Sam Storms. He said, "Jesus was conceived by the union of divine grace and human disgrace. He who breathed the breath of life into the first man is now Himself a man breathing His first breath. The King of kings now sleeping in a cow-pen. The Creator of oceans and seas and rivers afloat in the womb of His mother. God sucking His thumb. The Alpha and Omega learning His multiplication tables. He who was once surrounded by the glorious stereophonic praise of adoring angels now hears the lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep, the stammering of bewildered shepherds. He who spoke the universe into being now coos and cries. Omniscient Deity counting His toes… From the robes of eternal glory to the rags of swaddling clothes. The omnipresent Spirit, whose being fills the galaxies, confined to the womb of a peasant girl. Infinite power learning to crawl."

Augustine said, "Jesus was created by a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #234. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 15:1-2 which reads: "I am the true Vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "Christ was placed midmost in the world’s history; and in that central position He towers like some vast mountain to heaven – the farther slope stretching backward toward the creation, the hither slope toward the consummation of all things. The ages before look to Him with prophetic gaze; the ages since behold Him by historic faith; by both He is seen in common as the brightness of the Father's glory, and the unspeakable gift of God to the race."

Today, we are continuing our look at one of the most powerful and moving accounts in the entire Bible -- the passion and prayer of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. What transpired in Gethsemane was the beginning of a world-changing and history-shaping event. Max Lucado said, "The Bible is the story of two gardens: Eden and Gethsemane. In the first, Adam took a fall. In the second, Jesus took a stand. In the first, God sought Adam. In the second, Jesus sought God. In Eden, Satan led Adam to a tree that led to his death. From Gethsemane, Jesus went to a tree that led to our life."

We have already learned some powerful lessons regarding prayer and God's plan for our lives from the story of Christ in this garden. We have learned the importance of leaving some people behind and taking some people with us as we embark on a God-ordained journey. We have learned the wisdom of confessing our feebleness to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We have seen the importance of praying alone as well as the importance of acknowledging that the will of God should be the overriding influence in our lives.

The parallel passage of this account in the Gospel of Luke tells us that as Jesus was praying, "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done," "there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him."

I have said before, not just in theory, but from experience, that our feelings do not dictate the process of prayer. Oftentimes -- in fact, most times -- you will not feel anything when you pray. Don't let that discourage you. God never promised that we would feel a certain way when we pray. However, sometimes, particularly in moments of great distress, God will make His presence known. The Holy Spirit will give us a sense of peace and strength regarding whatever it is that we are praying about similar to how an angel was sent to strengthen Jesus as He was agonizing in prayer in the garden.

C.S. Lewis said, "He loved us not because we are lovable, but because He is love. "

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #233. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Philippians 4:7 which reads: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Phillip Keller. He said, "Here we commemorate the greatest and deepest demonstration of true love the world has ever known. For God looked down upon sorrowing, struggling, sinning humanity and was moved with compassion for the contrary, sheep-like creatures He had made. In spite of the tremendous personal cost it would entail to Himself to deliver them from their dilemma He chose deliberately to descend and live amongst them that He might deliver them. This meant laying aside His splendor, His position, His prerogatives as the perfect and faultless One. He knew He would be exposed to terrible privation, to ridicule, to false accusations, to rumor, gossip and malicious charges that branded Him as a glutton, drunkard, friend of sinners and even an imposter. It entailed losing His reputation. It would involve physical suffering, mental anguish and spiritual agony. In short, His coming to earth as the Christ, as Jesus of Nazareth, was a straightforward case of utter self-sacrifice that culminated in the cross of Calvary. The laid-down life, the poured-out blood were the supreme symbols of total selflessness. This was love. This was God. This was divinity in action, delivering men from their own utter selfishness, their own stupidity, their own suicidal instincts as lost sheep unable to help themselves."

Harold Rimmer said, "The cross on which the Savior hung was not a tragic incident in the earth-life of the Son of God but rather the climax of a deliberate plan made in the councils of heaven before the creation of the present order of the cosmos."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #232. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:1 which reads: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "The Greatest Man in History, Jesus, had no servants, yet they called Him Master. Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today."

Ron Reagan said, "He [Jesus] promised there will never be a dark night that does not end. And by dying for us, Jesus showed how far our love should be ready to go: all the way."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #231. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 16:25 which reads: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from C. H. Spurgeon. He said, "The marvel of heaven and earth, of time and eternity, is the atoning death of Jesus Christ. This is the mystery that brings more glory to God than all creation."

She is a racing cyclist who won the UCI world time trial championship in 2008 and the U.S. national road race championship in 2003. She played soccer and ran cross-country in junior high and high school. She graduated with both an undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Nebraska all while scoring a top 10 finish at the national collegiate cycling championships. She is the only active American female cyclist to win multiple UCI category 1 stage races, having won the Gracia Tour in 2002, the Tour du Montreal in 2003 and the Tour de l'Aude (Od) in 2005 and again in 2006.

She said of her faith, "When I was 4 years old, I was in the hospital with spinal meningitis. They told my parents I was going to die, but if I survived I would be brain-damaged and deaf. I made it through that, and during that time, I know my parents had some friends who were Christians who were praying for me. As a result, my family started going to a Christian church.

I went to a Christian grade school, so I was around really solid people who walked their faith and talked about Christ. Through that, more so than anything, God was working in my heart at a very young age. I remember as an eighth grader having a real strong faith already. Even in high school when I started dealing with my injuries, my faith was already really solid.

I played soccer and was a distance runner in high school, but I began experiencing stress fractures around the end of high school. I went to college on a track scholarship, but the injuries kept me on and off the field. I really knew that God had given me something special but I wasn’t getting the chance to use it. It was four years of just waiting, trusting, and as the Bible says, 'rejoice in your suffering, because suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope.' That whole process happened over those four years while I was struggling with the running.

Someone took me out for a bike ride when I was in graduate school, and I loved it. When I found out you could race bikes, I started racing. I missed the Olympic team in 2004 by 8 seconds, then made the 2008 team. I had to fight for four years to come back. During that time, I had a two-year stretch with three really bad crashes and a torn muscle, surgery on my hand and finger, a broken shoulder, a shattered collar bone and another surgery.

It was one of those times where I spent a lot of time talking to God, asking, “Am I on track?” With a lot of prayer and consideration, I knew I just had to run the race set before me and persevere through it. God’s going to be with us, and we use His strength in the midst of all of it to get through it. It’s why I am here and how I got here… it’s all because of Him.

One of my favorite quotes is always be a witness for Christ and if necessary use words. I think in sport just living a life that reflects Christ, walking in a way that honors God and is real, and being genuine in who you are is huge. People need to see Christians live a Christian life. Sport is the best way to be on that stage and to do that. When people have a chance to share how they got to the places they’ve gotten to, it has that much more of an impact."

No one ever really dies. That statement may sound strange to you considering that we hear about death every day. Television news reports are almost a constant stream of death-related stories. You can’t look at the internet without hearing about death. Even much of our entertainment -- movies, TV dramas, and books -- center around death in some way.

Each week, we hear about scores of people being killed in suicide bombings in Iraq or Nigeria. We hear about people dying from floods and famine. We are shocked by random shootings that strip life from people who are going about their business with no thought that they would die that day. We are stunned by the news that someone who appeared to have it all decides to end their life by committing suicide. And then there are the deaths that hit close to home -- when a friend, family member, or a uniformed military officer calls or comes by to tell us that someone we know and love has died.

When we really think about it, though, death seems strange and out of place in this world. It unnerves us that someone can be here today -- full of life, vitality, and energy -- and gone tomorrow. Saint Nicolai of the Serbian Orthodox Church expressed this feeling when he wrote the following: "Death is not natural; rather it is unnatural. Death is not from nature; rather it is against nature. All of nature cries out, ‘I do not know death! I do not wish death! I am afraid of death! I strive against death!’ Death is an uninvited stranger."

As awful as death is to us, the truth is that those who die are not forever extinguished from existence. They simply pass from this life to another realm of life -- a place where they still exist and are just as real, but a place where people in this world cannot see them. The Bible sheds light on this invisible -- or spirit -- realm.

1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

The Bible makes it clear that the devil is our enemy -- a very real enemy. Many Christians make the mistake of not taking Satan seriously. However, our Lord knows that Satan is a very real being: He was tempted by him in the wilderness and He also warned His disciples against succumbing to his influence. Thankfully, as we learned last week, the Lord also defeated Satan through His death, burial, and resurrection.

When Jesus Christ rose from the dead, Satan and his evil spirits were stripped of all their authority. The Lord Jesus ascended back into Heaven as Victor over all the powers of darkness. He made a show of them openly. Colossians 2:15 says, "And having spoiled (defeated) principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them...''

What an amazing sight this must have been in the unseen spirit world as the Lord Jesus returned to Heaven as the mighty Victor over Satan and the powers of darkness.

So far, in this series on handling despair and depression, we have discussed two things that will help us as Christians. (1) Crying out to God in prayer, (2) Changing the way we think by remembering and focusing on past blessings rather than current difficulties. These are two steps that would have been useful to the pilgrims, Christian and Hopeful, as they sat in the dungeon of Giant Despair. Instead, they let doubt and disbelief cloud their minds -- even to the point where they considered the Giant's advice that they should commit suicide in order to be delivered from their imprisonment.

John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim's Progress, wrote once that even he was not immune from feelings of despondency. He said the devil would come to him and tell him, "You have no part nor lot in this Jesus, you have but put him away from you, you have said in your heart, 'Let him go if he will.' Now, therefore, you are severed from him; you have severed yourself from him. Behold, then, his goodness, but yourself shall be no partaker of it." The devil would try to discourage John Bunyan by telling him that he was cut off from God.

In his commentary on Pilgrim's Progress, Dr. Barry Horner states: "For the pilgrims [in the dungeon], there appears not to be the slightest glimmer of a hope. Nor do they at this stage even think to look to He who is their only hope... The terror of this scene is not the confining circumstances so much as the prisoners’ belief that they are beyond the reach of grace. They believe that God has deserted them."

Perhaps you have felt the sting of being deserted by people whom you thought would have your back. But have you ever struggled with the feeling of being deserted by God Almighty? Our Lord did. On the cross, He suffered through the agony of being separated from His Father as He bore the sins of the world. But He suffered that agony in order to make it possible for us not to ever face being separated from God.

Again, I raise the question: "President Obama may be smart, but is he wise?" in light of the deal he made with Iran and regarding promoting and supporting homosexual marriage.

TEXT: Revelation 20:1-6

In light of what we have been talking about regarding Israel and the end times, allow me to start out by saying that the deal that President Obama recently made with Iran is foolish and jeopardizes the safety of God’s chosen people, Israel, who have been a blessing to America and to the world. Please remember that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ came through the Jewish people, and, in fact, believe it or not, He was literally a Jewish Rabbi while on earth. When one listens to the President, it sounds as though the deal makes sense on the surface; but, underneath, it is nothing but foolishness. The President is making a deal with a people who have just stated that their position toward America and certainly Israel has not changed because of this deal.

By the grace of God, I have been humbly and kindly warning America for the past seven years that our President is smart, but he is not wise. Even though the President is not the only one guilty for the state of affairs (the truth is, there are millions of others in this country, including elected officials, the Supreme Court, phony Christians, and sincere Christians, who are guilty as well) but, as the top elected leader in this formerly great country called America, President Obama bears most of the responsibility for securing the judgment of God on America by making this deal with Iran and by supporting and promoting homosexual marriage. And the judgment has already begun. As God said to Abraham, the father of the Jews, "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Please remember beloved, America is not mentioned in biblical prophecy. Do not be surprised if you wake up one day and find that half of America has been destroyed. My advice is to prepare for it.

No politician on the Republican side can stop the destruction of America. At this point, it doesn’t matter who is elected president. The election will not change anything. President Obama did what half of the country wanted him to do. And no one -- Republican or Democrat -- will have the will, courage, and character to change what needs to be changed. Do not be deceived by people who say this is a time of "peace and safety." I assure you, it is not. As the Bible says, "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."

We do not live in a perfect world. When God created this world, He looked down on it and called it "good." However, before the Flood -- which scholars tell us happened about sixteen hundred years after Creation, God looked down and saw that the earth was "filled with violence" and He decided to destroy it and start all over with just Noah’s family. I do not presume to know the mind of God, but I believe that we are nearing a point where God will look down on us and decide that punishment in the form of some great, worldwide disaster -- similar to the events described in Revelation -- is necessary once again.

Roy Lessin said, "The devil has convinced so many people that they are worthless. Each of us needs to stop and remember the cross—at the cross we will discover our true value in Christ— for it is here that we discover the price God was willing to pay for us, the depth of His love, and how much we are worth to Him. "

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #230. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 2:38 which reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Eric Sauer. He said, "The cross is the victory, the resurrection is the triumph...The resurrection is the public display of the victory, the triumph of the crucified one."

Andrew W. Blackwood, Jr. said, "Remember, the Savior offered His forgiveness to others before they wanted it...The Redeemer’s first word from the cross is a prayer not for those who are lovable, but for those who are thoroughly detestable."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #229. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:18 which reads: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from William Cowper. He said, "The Cross of Jesus Christ! There, and there only (though the deist rave, and the atheist, if Earth bears so base a slave); There and there only, is the power to save."

Philip Yancey said, "It would be easier, I sometimes think, if God had given us a set of ideas to mull over and kick around and decide whether to accept or reject. He did not. He gave us Himself in the form of a Person - Jesus Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #228. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 6:35 which reads: "I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Billy Lobbs. He said, "Does God really love us? I say look to the crucified Jesus. Look to the old rugged cross. By every thorn that punctured His brow. By every mark of the back lacerating scourge. By every hair of his beard plucked from his cheeks by cruel fingers. By every bruise which heavy fists made upon His head. God said, 'I love you!' By all the spit that landed on his face. By every drop of sinless blood that fell to the ground. By every breath of pain which Jesus drew upon the cross. By every beat of His loving heart. God said, 'I love you!'"

In our last message, we considered the place Jesus went to pray -- He went to the Garden of Gethsemane, a location he frequently resorted to. This place, which was also the location of an olive press, signified the crushing trial which Jesus was about to face. We also considered the people Jesus took with him and the people Jesus left behind. As he embarked on his path of pain, Jesus left behind Judas and only took just so far eight of the disciples.

Now, notice the privacy Jesus required. As he proceeded further into the Garden with Peter, James, and John, Jesus "began to be sorrowful and very heavy." Our Lord was affected by sadness and grief because of what he knew was about to come. He was uneasy with the future. The word "heavy" means "to be troubled, to be in great distress or anguish, to be depressed."

Jesus Christ admitted how he felt to his disciples. He told them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death..." The disciples could not help Jesus. (In fact, they likely became more afraid when they were informed of their Master's feelings.) But Jesus still told them anyway. See the humility of our Lord! He, the great Physician and Comforter of the Saints, was humble enough to admit his distress about the future. Most of us would have acted like we had it all together.

But, Jesus did not just share his feelings with his disciples; he told them something they could do about it. He said, "Tarry ye here, and watch with me." Later, He told them, "Watch and pray."

John Weber said, "Altruism is written in everlasting and resplendent character on the Cross of Jesus Christ, and it was at Calvary that the centre of life was shifted from selfishness to sacrifice."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #227. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 8:37 which reads: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Vance Havner. He said, "Jesus Christ demands more complete allegiance than any dictator who ever lived. The difference is, He has a right to it."

Clement of Alexandria said, "The Lord ate from a common bowl, and asked the disciples to sit on the grass. He washed their feet, with a towel wrapped around His waist – He, who is the Lord of the universe!"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #226. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 5:1 which reads: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Martin Luther. He said, "In the bonds of Death Jesus lay Who for our offence was slain; But the Lord is risen to-day, Christ hath brought us life again, Wherefore let us all rejoice, Singing loud, with cheerful voice, Hallelujah!"

John Piper said, "The way of the cross is the way of suffering. Christians are called to die, not kill, in order to show the world how they are loved by Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #225. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 3:3 which reads: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "No one switches on a flashlight in an area flooded by direct sunlight. We put on the light in order to dispel darkness. It is the darkness that makes the light necessary. God from eternity knew that men would choose darkness rather than light, and therefore He had to bring His light in Jesus Christ to shine in the midst of darkness."

John Fletcher said, "Only look to Jesus. He died for you, died in your place, died under the frowns of heaven, that we might die under its smile. Regard neither unbelief nor doubt. Fear neither sin nor hell. Choose neither life nor death. All these are swallowed up in the immensity of Christ and are triumphed over in His cross."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #224. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 28:18 which reads: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Jennie C. Olbrych. She said, "The birth of Jesus — Savior, Messiah, Lord — translates all that is shabby, despairing, and dying into newness, joy, and life. It is a language that even we can hear. A four-year old boy asked, 'What's all the fuss about a baby when there's more to the story?' He was right. If we only focus on the birth of Jesus as a sweet story we like remembering, then we miss out on what can happen for us tonight. The God who comes to be with us can take the shabby, hurting, dirty, abandoned, humiliating parts of ourselves and will make them and us new."

She is a professional soccer midfielder and forward who currently plays for FC Kansas City in the National Women's Soccer League and the United States women's national soccer team. She is also is a two-time Olympic gold medalist from both 2008 and 2012. Additionally, she also played in the 2011 and 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. In 2014, she was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year. As a star player on the United States women's national soccer team, she helped her team reach a record third World Cup with a 5-2 victory over Japan.

In an interview with Fellowship of Christian Athletes after losing the 2011 World Cup, she said: "I learned to give God the praise in the highs and the lows. That's not easy. It's not easy to lose the World Cup and say, ‘Thank You, Lord,' because it hurts. But our lives are completely full of highs and lows, and I'm so grateful that my confidence is in Christ. My identity in the Lord will never be shaken. My career will come and go, but remaining faithful has made my relationship with Him so much stronger."

"I try to think of the verse in Romans 12:1 every time I play. 'Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.' At the World Cup, I was playing in the biggest tournament of my life and playing a position I was unfamiliar with. I just remember thinking, ‘Lord, this is my act of worship.' I try to keep in mind that He gave me this talent. This isn't for me; it's for Him. That gives me so much joy."

She said, "Once you're in the spotlight and profess that you're a believer, people want you to fall. They immediately want to point out your flaws, and that's hard because everyone's going to make mistakes. But if I'm going to proclaim Christ's name, I want people to see it. Making decisions by following the Spirit makes that a lot easier. That's the most important part. That's why God has given us this platform. And when I speak to a young girl, I hope she'll see Christ in me the same way I saw Him in my coach so long ago and that she'll want to have Him too. And that's absolutely why I play the game."

Recently, the internet search giant Google released data on what Americans are up searching for late at night. Perhaps surprising to some and shocking to others, the most popular search terms for late night internet users revolve around pornography, suicide, and loneliness. Another interesting search trend is that people who are up very early -- between the hours of 2 and 4 am -- are searching for answers to big questions such as: What is the meaning of life? Is there a God? What is the meaning of consciousness? Does free will exist? And is there life on other planets?

This interesting data sheds light on the psyche of our nation. It also sheds light on a common human activity: at some point in life, everybody finds himself or herself searching for something and/or asking the big questions of life. When we are young, we search for meaning and purpose. We search for the perfect job or the right occupation that will make us feel fulfilled. We search for a husband or wife to spend our lives with. We search for the best college or university to attend. We search for advice that will help us live a healthy and long life.

Ultimately, we are all searching for something that we can rely on, something that's constant, and something that will guide us through life. I can honestly tell you that all of those things can be found in Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

The Christian life is a life of warfare. We are called to be good soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ and "to war a good warfare." The reason why the Christian life is warfare is because we have a terrible enemy who seeks to destroy us. That enemy is Satan. The Bible warns us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour."

Satan was originally created as a beautiful and wise angel named Lucifer, but pride entered his heart and he rebelled against God. Many of the angels of Heaven followed Satan in his rebellion against God.

Satan is called "the prince of the power of the air" because he and his fallen angels now inhabit the atmosphere above the earth. Though we cannot see them, Satan and his fallen angels are the very real enemies of the child of God. The Bible says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

In our last two messages, we have been dealing with a situation that many people, including many Christians, have faced and are facing -- how to handle depression and feelings of despair and discouragement. This struggle is not foreign even to the most celebrated of God's servants. Some of the giants of both the Old and New Testaments struggled with such feelings. To use a Biblical phrase, this condition is "common to man."

But, what do you do when you are struggling with despair and depression? Last week, we began looking at some solutions to this problem from Psalm 77. This psalm was written by Asaph or one of his associates, and we learned from his example that the first thing we ought to do is cry out to God in prayer. The psalmist admits the struggles that he is facing, he expresses his feelings to God, and he asks God for answers.

Now, let's look at verses 4-6 of this passage and see how we can take the next step to overcoming depression and despair, and that step is: changing the way we think. The psalmist writes, "Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search."

The psalmist has had some sleepless nights. He believes that God is the cause of his inability to sleep. He says, "Thou holdest mine eyes waking." You can imagine him lying in bed, unable to sleep, unable to speak, worry and doubt invading his mind. The darkness he feels is not just because of the night, but because there is darkness in his soul. He is so troubled that he cannot talk to anybody but God.

But, as the psalmist lays there trying to work out his problems, something happens. He begins to remember. His mind drifts back to brighter days. He says, "I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night..." One of the best ways to combat depression, despair, and a negative mentality is to change the way you think. Instead of thinking constantly about your problems, think about the days when you did not have any problems. Remember the songs of joy you sang during those times. Remember the many times when, instead of praying, "Lord, help me," you were able to pray, "Lord, thank you."

In our last two messages, we have been dealing with a situation that many people, including many Christians, have faced and are facing -- how to handle depression and feelings of despair and discouragement. This struggle is not foreign even to the most celebrated of God's servants. Some of the giants of both the Old and New Testaments struggled with such feelings. To use a Biblical phrase, this condition is "common to man."

But, what do you do when you are struggling with despair and depression? Last week, we began looking at some solutions to this problem from Psalm 77. This psalm was written by Asaph or one of his associates, and we learned from his example that the first thing we ought to do is cry out to God in prayer. The psalmist admits the struggles that he is facing, he expresses his feelings to God, and he asks God for answers.

Now, let's look at verses 4-6 of this passage and see how we can take the next step to overcoming depression and despair, and that step is: changing the way we think. The psalmist writes, "Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search."

The psalmist has had some sleepless nights. He believes that God is the cause of his inability to sleep. He says, "Thou holdest mine eyes waking." You can imagine him lying in bed, unable to sleep, unable to speak, worry and doubt invading his mind. The darkness he feels is not just because of the night, but because there is darkness in his soul. He is so troubled that he cannot talk to anybody but God.

But, as the psalmist lays there trying to work out his problems, something happens. He begins to remember. His mind drifts back to brighter days. He says, "I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night..." One of the best ways to combat depression, despair, and a negative mentality is to change the way you think. Instead of thinking constantly about your problems, think about the days when you did not have any problems. Remember the songs of joy you sang during those times. Remember the many times when, instead of praying, "Lord, help me," you were able to pray, "Lord, thank you."

John Piper said, "The highest act of love is the giving of the best gift, and, if necessary, at the greatest cost, to the least deserving. That’s what God did. At the loss of His Son’s life to the totally undeserving, God gave the best gift—the display of the glory of Christ who is the image of God."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #223. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 3:3 which reads: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Robert Murray M’Cheyne. He said, "You will never find Jesus so precious as when the world is one vast howling wilderness. Then he is like a rose blooming in the midst of the desolation, a rock rising above the storm."

In the Bible, God made covenants with several people -- Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and David. These covenants were God's solemn promises that He would do something on behalf of his servants who had shown faith, trust, and obedience in Him. One of the great things that we learn about these covenants is that, often, they are based solely on God's will, God's knowledge, and God's power. God puts his reputation on the line when he tells his servants, 'I am making this covenant with you, not because of what you have done, what you will do, or who you are.'

That is the kind of covenant that God made with the people of Israel. In our message last week, we saw how He promised to give them a certain portion of land. Later on, he also promised that he would raise up an eternal ruler who would be a descendant of David to lead the nation. Michael A. Grisanti, an Old Testament professor at the Master's Seminary, writes: "God's establishment of His covenant with David represents one of the theological high points of the Old Testament Scriptures. This key event builds on the preceding covenants and looks forward to the ultimate establishment of God's reign on the earth."

Today, we are going to continue looking at God's promise to eternally establish the throne of David over the nation of Israel. This is important even for Gentile Christians because Gentile believers will take part in the ultimate fulfillment of this promise in the Millennial Kingdom which will be ruled by Jesus Christ, the Son of David.

Roy Lessin said, "If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Saviour."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #222. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Revelation 3:20 which reads: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "The light of heaven is the face of Jesus Christ; the joy of heaven is the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ; the melody of heaven is the name of Jesus Christ. The theme of heaven is the work of Jesus Christ. The employment of heaven is the work of Jesus Christ. The fullness of heaven is the Lord Jesus Christ, himself."

Jonathan Edwards said, "The soul is exceedingly ravished when it first looks on the beauty of Christ. It is never weary of Him."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #221. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 28:18 which reads: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Piper. He said, "No one [Jesus] ever deserved suffering less, yet received so much...no one has ever had a greater right to retaliate, but used it less...no one has ever borne so much injustice with so little vengeance."

Have you ever faced a decision or a task that you knew at the outset would be difficult, painful, or costly? A task so fear-inducing that you would have opted out of it if you could? Perhaps you can identify with a soldier going into battle knowing that he would die, a woman getting ready to give birth to a child, a believer about to be executed because he refuses to deny his faith, or a person diagnosed with a terminal illness who is faced with a painful path that will only end in death.

What do you do in times like these? What did our Savior do (who was just as human as we are, though divine) when he faced the ultimate path of pain? He prayed.

Today, let's look at principles from Jesus' prayer just before he embarked on the quest which he had been sent into the world to fulfill. We enter this passage just after Jesus and his disciples celebrate the Last Supper. At this supper, Jesus institutes the communion ritual, Judas is revealed as the prophesied betrayer, and Peter and the other disciples declare that they would never forsake Jesus Christ. Afterwards, Jesus leads the disciples out of the city.

Notice the place where Jesus went. The Bible says, "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane..." The name Gethsemane means "olive press." It is a place filled with olive trees where workers would go to press the olives in order to make olive oil. The imagery of the olives being pressed is significant because the Bible uses the symbolism of the violent crushing of olives or grapes to represent the wrath of God being poured out just as it was about to be poured out on Jesus Christ.

Matthew Henry writes: "At the foot of the mount of Olives, our Lord Jesus began his passion; there it pleased the Lord to bruise him and crush him that fresh oil might flow to all believers from him, that we might partake of the root and fatness of that good Olive. There he trod the winepress of his Father's wrath, and trod it alone." It is worth noting that it is in this Garden, on this mount, that the first drops of Jesus' blood were shed. They were first shed, not when he was on trial nor on the cross, but in prayer at the beginning of his Passion.

Francis Frangipane said, "How was it that, even in the common tasks of an ordinary life, Jesus drew the praise of heaven? At the core of His being, He only did those things which pleased the Father. In everything, He stayed true, heartbeat to heartbeat, with the Father’s desires. Jesus lived for God alone; God was enough for Him. Thus, even in its simplicity and moment-to-moment faithfulness, Christ’s life was an unending fragrance, a perfect offering of incomparable love to God."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #220. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 28:18 which reads: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Philip Schaff. He said, "Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander the Great, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science and learning, He shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of school, He spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, He set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times."

Geoffrey T. Bull said, "Even Christ pleased not Himself. He was utterly consumed in the zeal of His Father’s house. As man He ever moved for God. As God He ever moved for man."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #219. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 8:10 which reads: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Napoleon Bonaparte. He said, "I see in Lycurgus, Numa and Mohammed only legislators who, having the first rank in the state, have sought the best solution of the social problem but I see nothing there which reveals divinity...nothing announces them divine. On the contrary, there are numerous resemblances between them and myself, foibles and errors which ally them to me and to humanity. It is not so with Christ. Everything in Him astonishes me. His spirit overawes me, and His will confounds me. Beside Him and whoever else in the world, there is no possible term of comparison. He is truly a being by Himself. His ideals and His sentiments, the truths which He announces, His manner of convincing, are not explained either by human organization or by the nature of things. His birth and the history of His life; the profundity of His doctrine, which grapples the mightiest difficulties, and which is, of those difficulties, the most admirable solution; His Gospel, His apparition, His empire, His march across the ages and the realms, is for me a prodigy, a mystery insoluble, which plunges me into a reverence which I cannot escape, a mystery which is there before my eyes, mystery which I cannot deny or explain. Here I see nothing human. The nearer I approach, the more carefully I examine, everything is above me, everything remains grand—and of a grandeur which overpowers. His religion is a revelation from an intelligence which certainly is not a man. There is a profound originality, which has created a series of maxims before unknown. Jesus borrowed nothing from our sciences. One can absolutely find nowhere, but in Him alone, the imitation or the example of His life."

William Penn said, "No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #217. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 10:9 which reads: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Yoweri Museveni. He said, "Even though I have not become a member of any special religious group, I have decided to follow Jesus Christ with my whole heart. I find in Him the inner strength, the precepts and the lifestyle that can help me and all the people of Uganda to solve the problems we face individually and as a nation. It is one of the interesting facts about Jesus Christ that people in every nation of the world regardless of religion, whether one is a believer or a non-believer, consider Jesus the greatest authority on human relations in history. His views on that subject have transcended all religions and cultures. It is remarkable that the person of Jesus Christ is accepted by everyone—even when they are not attracted by institutional religion."''

He is a professional baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. He plays the position of left fielder. He and the Cardinals won the World Series in 2011 and he is considered a major part of the team's success. He is well known for his baserunning, hitting, and leadership abilities. Previously, he played for the Colorado Rockies and the Oakland Athletics. He has been selected as an All-Star 6 times. In addition, he has been recognized with four Silver Slugger Awards and a National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award.

He said of his faith, "My walk with the Lord has come about very gradually. I had always recognized there was God, but I did not know about Jesus or how to have a relationship with Him. My dad was head baseball coach at Oklahoma State University. We did not go to church much because my dad was always working – including on weekends – and we were usually going to the stadium to support him and the team. However, I feel I was raised in a great family. I had an extremely blessed childhood.

Beginning in my rookie season, I had a lot of people come into my life sharing their faith with me. There were individuals who mentored me and helped me realize I needed Jesus, and that the only way to true life is through Jesus. My faith in Jesus has shaped how I handle my family, how I am a friend, how I am a teammate, how I handle all the things I do in my life and how I list my priorities. How you represent Jesus in the way you live your life is the best way to share Christ. Jesus puts all things in proper perspective. It has allowed me to live a lot freer.

I like the book of Job. Much of Job is about trials and struggles, but also about understanding that God is God and we are not. The tattoo on my arm is Job 38:4: 'Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand.' We are not going to understand His ways sometimes, but we must remain faithful as Job. Job 36:26 says, How great is God – beyond our understanding!' Playing this game offers struggles at times. You have anxiety when you put pressure on yourself to perform, as well as the struggle to not get caught up in your worth or who you are as a pro baseball player.

Players like everyone else often feel the need for approval from other people besides Jesus. For me now, the most important – and only – thing that really matters is Jesus accepts me. The future for a Christian is eternity with the King! I see my relationship with Christ leading me where I know I will spend eternity worshipping Him. It does not make your life perfect, but it allows you to have a perspective that, at the end of the day, Christ will be coming to take us to be with Him forever. That is something that gets me excited."

Most of us don't give thought to death on a daily basis. I would venture to say that there are some days when we do not even think about it at all. But we should. Because in the least-expected place, it can come for us.

Nine people found that out two weeks ago in Charleston, South Carolina. They were simply attending a midweek prayer meeting and Bible study at a church that had been in existence for nearly 200 years. A young man walked in, sat with them for about an hour, and then opened fire, killing the pastor who was also a state senator, a library manager, a church choir member, the church's maintenance man, another pastor, an administrator at Southern Wesleyan University, a high school track coach, a Bible study teacher, and a young man who died because he jumped in front of the gun in order to protect a family member. In the most unlikely of places, they all met the one thing they probably never dreamed of meeting there -- death.

The entire nation was shocked by the tragedy.

However, as the victims' families, the church, and the community came together, the nation saw a different response to death. Yes, there was crying and mourning for those who had been lost. But there was even more prayer, love, acceptance, and even forgiveness toward the man who had carried out this terrible act. They could respond in this manner because they knew that the nine people who died in Charleston were prepared, not necessarily for death, but for what comes after.

While Americans were once again reminded of the legacy of racism, discrimination, and hatred in our country, the deaths of the nine church members in Charleston also remind us that we need to be ready for what comes after death because death can come to us in the most unlikely of places and at the most unlikely of times. At any moment, despite our past good fortune and despite our plans for the future, we can suddenly and unexpectedly cross the line from life to death. The question is: Are you prepared?

Today, you have the opportunity to make sure that you will spend eternity in Heaven with God by accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Please don’t put off this decision, for as we see from what happened at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, we do not know what tomorrow holds.

Do you want the certainty of knowing that you are going to Heaven no matter when you die or how you die? If so, allow me to share with you three simple steps that you need to take to give your life to Jesus Christ today and be assured of a home in Heaven for all eternity.

Glenn C. Louis said, "Jesus Christ provides a basis for hope and for the most profound personal satisfaction."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #217. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 19:25-26 which reads: "When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Josemaria Escriva. She said, "Stir up the fire of your faith! Christ is not a figure of the past. He is not a memory lost in history. He lives! As Paul says, ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today—yes, and forever!’"

1 John 2:15: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

To keep from being deceived by Satan, we must know the truth. We must have our minds renewed so that we see things as God sees them. The Bible says, "Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."

What does God want us to see concerning the world? First, God wants us to see that the world system is controlled by Satan. 1 John 5:19 says, "...the whole world lieth in wickedness" (or in the power of the wicked one). 1 John 2:16 says, "All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

Since the world is controlled by Satan, to be a friend of the world is to be the enemy of God. The Bible says in James 4:4, "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

This world crucified our Lord; its ruler is the enemy of God. With the Apostle Paul the true Christian will say, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..."

In our first message in this mini-series, we shed some light on the issue of despair and depression in the life of the Christian. Numerous stories of depression which has led to suicide even among Christians and Christian pastors have been in the news lately. In the Bible, there are also numerous examples of God’s servants struggling from depression and even wishing to die -- people such as Moses, Job, Elijah, David, Jonah, and others.

The experience of depression is common to the Christian life. We read about it in Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan. The two pilgrims, Christian and Hopeful, had turned out of the straight and narrow way, got caught in a rainstorm, and then were captured by Giant Despair and thrown in his dungeon. The giant beat the pilgrims savagely and told them that he would not let them go. He even suggested that the only way they would escape would be by killing themselves. Bunyan tells us that as Christian and Hopeful languished in prison, Christian said to his companion, "The life that we now live is miserable. For my part, I do not know whether it is best for us to live as we are, or to die at our own hand. My soul chooses strangling rather than life, and the grave appears more desirable than this dungeon. Shall we accept the Giant’s advice?"

Have you ever pondered such a decision? Have you ever been in such a situation? Well, we are not just going to discuss this as a problem, but we are going to talk about the solution from the Word of God. How does the Christian handle depression? Some have resorted to drugs; others have resorted to drunkenness; some withdraw from society and interaction with others; and most tragic of all are those who decide to take their own life.

Psalm 77 is an intensely helpful passage for those who are in the pit of depression and despair. We do not know exactly who wrote this psalm, but it was a part of the series of psalms written by Asaph and his sons. Scholars believe that it was prompted by a national tragedy -- likely a military defeat. We see in this psalm that the writer did not feel as though God had helped the Israelites overcome the difficult situation the nation faced. He felt as though God had abandoned His people in their time of need. Many who struggle with depression also feel the same way -- not just abandoned by God, but abandoned, ridiculed, or maligned by others.

This psalm shows us three things that we ought to do when we are in the pit of despair.

1. We should cry out to God. 2. We should change the way we think. 3. We should glorify God as greater than our problems.

In our first message in this mini-series, we shed some light on the issue of despair and depression in the life of the Christian. Numerous stories of depression which has led to suicide even among Christians and Christian pastors have been in the news lately. In the Bible, there are also numerous examples of God’s servants struggling from depression and even wishing to die -- people such as Moses, Job, Elijah, David, Jonah, and others.

The experience of depression is common to the Christian life. We read about it in Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan. The two pilgrims, Christian and Hopeful, had turned out of the straight and narrow way, got caught in a rainstorm, and then were captured by Giant Despair and thrown in his dungeon. The giant beat the pilgrims savagely and told them that he would not let them go. He even suggested that the only way they would escape would be by killing themselves. Bunyan tells us that as Christian and Hopeful languished in prison, Christian said to his companion, "The life that we now live is miserable. For my part, I do not know whether it is best for us to live as we are, or to die at our own hand. My soul chooses strangling rather than life, and the grave appears more desirable than this dungeon. Shall we accept the Giant’s advice?"

Have you ever pondered such a decision? Have you ever been in such a situation? Well, we are not just going to discuss this as a problem, but we are going to talk about the solution from the Word of God. How does the Christian handle depression? Some have resorted to drugs; others have resorted to drunkenness; some withdraw from society and interaction with others; and most tragic of all are those who decide to take their own life.

Psalm 77 is an intensely helpful passage for those who are in the pit of depression and despair. We do not know exactly who wrote this psalm, but it was a part of the series of psalms written by Asaph and his sons. Scholars believe that it was prompted by a national tragedy -- likely a military defeat. We see in this psalm that the writer did not feel as though God had helped the Israelites overcome the difficult situation the nation faced. He felt as though God had abandoned His people in their time of need. Many who struggle with depression also feel the same way -- not just abandoned by God, but abandoned, ridiculed, or maligned by others.

This psalm shows us three things that we ought to do when we are in the pit of despair.

1. We should cry out to God.
2. We should change the way we think.
3. We should glorify God as greater than our problems.

Today we come to the final phase of our series on Israel and the End Times. As you know, we have been looking at God’s plan for Israel in the last days. It is a three-fold plan that brings the story of God’s chosen people full circle. First, the Bible predicts the national conversion of Israel in the last days — likely during the Tribulation period. A huge number of Jews will turn to Jesus Christ as their Savior and Messiah. Second, God will use 144,000 Jewish witnesses to preach the Gospel during the Tribulation period. The Church will have been taken in the Rapture, and the Jewish evangelists will be witnesses for God during the darkest days on earth. Their faithfulness will bring about a huge harvest of Tribulation-age believers.

Today, we are going to begin looking at God’s promise to fulfill the covenants He made with Israel in the Old Testament. These covenants will ultimately be fulfilled during the Millennial Kingdom. Our passage today provides us with the general overview of God’s perspective on the fulfillment of the covenants He made with Israel. Ezekiel delivered this prophecy while he was in exile with the Jews who had been carried off to Babylon. Matthew Henry writes that “God is justifying himself in the desolations he is about to bring upon Jerusalem; and very largely, in this chapter, he shows the prophet, and orders him to show the people, that he did but punish them as their sins deserved… Ezekiel here is directed to write to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for their conviction and humiliation, which was the thing they needed.”

The passage starts out recounting Israel’s sins of idolatry and not trusting God which caused the covenants between God and Israel to be broken. However, it concludes on a hopeful message telling of Israel’s restoration and God’s promise to “remember” the covenants of old.

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #216. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 4:12 which reads: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Kim Dae-jung. He said, "Love of God does not mean we must love Him first. Rather, He loved us first, creating the world and leaving it in our care, sending His only son to us to spread the Gospel, and, finally, opening the way for us to deliver ourselves from sin through the crucifixion of His innocent son, Jesus. Through Jesus’ resurrection, God gave us hope for eternal life. God is with you at this very moment. He loves you, and He creates the good for you from all the right and wrong in your life when you genuinely believe in and obey Him."

Malcolm Muggeridge said, "I can say that I never knew what joy was like until I gave up pursuing happiness, or cared to live until I chose to die. For these two discoveries I am beholden to Jesus."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #215. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Revelation 22:17 which reads: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Henry Newman. He said, "To holy people the very name of Jesus is a name to feed upon, a name to transport. His name can raise the dead and transfigure and beautify the living."

C.T. Whitmell said, "In darkness there is no choice. It is light that enables us to see the differences between things; and it is Christ that gives us light."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #214. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 10:9-10 which reads: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Thomas Wright. He said, "The Sermon on the Mount is Christ’s biography. Every syllable He had already written down in deeds. The sermon merely translated His life into language."

Napoleon Bonaparte said, "I marvel that whereas the ambitious dreams of my self, Caesar, and Alexander should have vanished into thin air, a Judean peasant—Jesus—should be able to stretch His hands across the centuries and control the destinies of men and nations."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #213. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 7:25 which reads: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Daniel Webster. He said, "Philosophical argument has sometimes shaken my reason for the faith that was in me; but my heart has always assured me that the Gospel of Jesus Christ must be reality."

Sometimes, when we think about prayer, we think about it only in spiritual terms. We think that prayer is a high and lofty matter and that God is not concerned with the miniscule inconveniences of our daily lives. We think that God does not want to be bothered by the "little things", although we spend much of our time fretting and worrying over these things.

In our passage for today, Jesus Christ is giving His disciples a brief glimpse into what the future holds for the world in general and for the people of Israel in particular. He says that in the last days there will be wars, conflicts between nations, persecution of Christians, diseases, epidemics, famines, earthquakes, and false prophets. Speaking of Israel's future, He says that the "abomination of desolation" -- the antichrist sitting in the Temple and declaring himself to be God -- will usher in a period of terrible persecution for the Jews. It is then that He advises, "Let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes."

In the midst of His discussion of earth-shaking, history-shaping events, Jesus is attentive to the personal needs of those who will be alive in those days. He says, "woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day..." God bears a special concern for the welfare of His people even in the darkest days of history. He is not oblivious to the fact that they will experience suffering and pain. And so He urges them to "pray" for their needs during that time -- that their flight would not be in winter, that they would not have to flee on the Sabbath day, that pregnant women and babies would find a reprieve. Matthew Henry states, "Christ bids his disciples to pray for themselves and their friends, that, whenever they were forced to flee, it might be in the most convenient time. Christ's bidding them pray for this favour, intimates his purpose of granting it to them..." He goes on to say, "Though the ease of the body is not to be mainly consulted, it ought to be duly considered; though we must take what God sends, and when he sends it, yet we may pray against bodily inconveniences, and are encouraged to do so, in that the Lord is for the body."

C.H. Spurgeon said, "Hang this question up in your homes – “What would Jesus do?” and then think of another – “How would Jesus do it?” For what Jesus would do, and how He would do it, may always stand as the best guide to us."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #212. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 2:38 which reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from C.S. Lewis. He said, "“What are we to make of Christ?” There is no question of what we can make of Him, it is entirely a question of what He intends to make of us. You must accept or reject the story. The things He says are very different from what any other teacher has said. Others say, “This is the truth about the Universe. This is the way you ought to go.” But He says, “I am the Truth, and the Way, and the Life.” He says, “No man can reach absolute reality, except through Me. Try to retain your own life and you will be inevitably ruined. Give yourself away and you will be saved.” He says, “If you are ashamed of Me, if, when you hear this call, you turn the other way, I also will look the other way when I come again as God without disguise. If anything whatever is keeping you from God and from Me, whatever it is, throw it away. If it is your eye, pull it out. If it is your hand, cut it off. If you put yourself first you will be last. Come to Me everyone who is carrying a heavy load, I will set that right. Your sins, all of them, are wiped out; I can do that. I am Re-birth. I am Life. Eat Me. Drink Me. I am your Food. And finally, do not be afraid, I have overcome the whole Universe.” That is the issue."

John Ortberg said, "Jesus...associated with the outcasts; he spoke with them, touched them, ate with them, loved them."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #211. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:1 which reads: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "The name of Jesus is the one lever that lifts the world."

Thomas a Kempis said, "All Jesus' glory and beauty come from within, and there He delights to dwell, His visits there are frequent, His conversation sweet, His comforts refreshing; and His peace passing all understanding."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #210. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Philippians 4:7 which reads: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from E.H. Chapin. He said, "No one can truly see Christ, and drink in the influence of his character, and not be a Christian at heart."

Arthur P. Stanley said, "You never get to the end of Christ’s words. There is something in them always behind. They pass into proverbs; they pass into laws; they pass into doctrines; they pass into consolations; but they never pass away, and after all the use that is made of them they are still not exhausted."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #209. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Galatians 2:20 which reads: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from C.S. Lewis. He said, "Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste. The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question. In my opinion, the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man. If you think you are a poached egg, when you are looking for a piece of toast to suit you, you may be sane, but if you think you are God, there is no change for you. We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a great moral teacher. He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him. He produced mainly three effects—Hatred—Terror—Adoration. There was no trace of people expressing mild approval."

Blaise Pascal said, "Jesus Christ is the center of all, and the goal to which all tends."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #208. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Corinthians 8:6 which reads: "But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Martin Luther. He said, "Christ will remain a priest and king, though He was never consecrated by any papist bishop or greased by any of those shavelings; but He was ordained and consecrated by God Himself, and by Him anointed."

Martin Luther said, "When Jesus Christ utters a word, He opens His mouth so wide that it embraces all Heaven and earth, even though that word be but in a whisper."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #207. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 2:38 which reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said,
"In Christ we have...
A love that can never be fathomed,
A life that can never die,
A righteousness that can never be tarnished,
A peace that can never be understood,
A rest that can never be disturbed,
A joy that can never be diminished,
A hope that can never be disappointed,
A glory that can never be clouded,
A light that can never be darkened,
A purity that can never be defiled,
A beauty that can never be marred,
A wisdom that can never be baffled,
Resources that can never be exhausted.
Jesus is our all in all!"

If you have been attending church for a while, you have certainly heard some long prayers. Perhaps you have prayed some long prayers yourself. Perhaps, there has even been a time when, as you listened to someone pray, you perceived that they were trying to impress the audience by their prayer -- that they were just pretending, and not really serious about what they were saying.

In our passage today, we find Jesus condemning those who "for pretense make long prayers." This condemnation is not isolated, however. It is the second in a series of seven condemnations against the religious leaders of first-century Judea. These condemnations are signified by the word "woe" which means "alas." It is an interjection of grief and denunciation. By use of this word, Jesus shows not only His righteous anger at hypocrisy but also His sadness over the state of religious affairs in Israel.

As we are focusing on the topic of prayer in this series, we are going to deal with verse 14 which reads: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."

Maltbie D. Babcock said, "God be thanked for that good and perfect gift, the gift unspeakable: His life, His love, His very self in Christ Jesus."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #206. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 6:35 which reads: "I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Samuel Bailey. He said, "The name of Christ—the one great word—well worth all the languages in earth or heaven."

Nikolaus Ludvig von Zinzendorf said, "Do you think it was self-denial for the Lord Jesus to come down from heaven to rescue a world: Was it self-denial? No, it was love—love that swallows up everything, and first of all self."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #205. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 10:14-15 which reads: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Max Lucado. He said, "If you knew that only a few would care that you came, would you still come? If you knew that those you loved would laugh in your face, would you still care? If you knew that the tongues you made would mock you, the mouths you made would spit at you, the hands you made would crucify you, would you still make them? Christ did."

Thomas Kelley said, "The head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #204. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 6:35 which reads: "I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He said, "Lovely was the death of Him whose life was Love! Holy with power, He on the thought-benighted skeptic beamed Manifest Godhead."

Jim Caviezel said, "Jesus is there for us in the Scriptures. How often do we ignore Him? We must shake off this indifference. Only the Faith and the wisdom of the Church can save us, but it requires men and women, warriors ready to risk their good names, even their very lives to stand up for the truth."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #203. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 10:14-15 which reads: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Foster Friess. He said, "I am reminded of a statue in an English church that was bombed in World War II. It was a statue of Jesus with his hands outreached and with the inscription, 'Come unto me.' When they were restoring this statue, they could not find the hands. Instead of making new hands, they simply changed the inscription to read, 'Be my hands.' I think this is a beautiful picture of what we are called to be in this world."

Dick Armey said, "What I attempt to do in Congress is pretty straight forward. My job is to prevent government from destroying our freedom. But the most important work to be done is for a person to come to terms with Jesus. That’s my advice for anybody."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #202. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 15:1-2 which reads: "I am the true Vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Fyodor Dos-toy-ev-sky. He said, "Even those who have renounced Christianity and attack it, in their inmost being still follow the Christian ideal, for hitherto neither their subtlety nor the ardour of their hearts has been able to create a higher ideal of man and of virtue than the ideal given by Christ of old."

Sherri Shepherd said, "I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. I believe that Jesus died for my sins, and rose again, and that's my belief. I still don't know what 'Christian' means. I'm a follower of Christ, but I keep making a whole bunch of mistakes. And I thank God for forgiveness."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #201. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 8:12 which reads: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Joyce Meyer. She said, "When you make a mistake and the devil comes and tells you 'You're no good,' you don't have to take on the guilt and condemnation he wants to put on you. No! You can immediately confess your mistake to God, thank Him for forgiving you and cleansing you with the blood of Jesus, and move forward in the victory of His grace and forgiveness."

Karol Józef Wojtyla said, "When you wonder about the mystery of yourself, look to Christ, who gives you the meaning of life. When you wonder what it means to be a mature person, look to Christ, who is the fulfillness of humanity. And when you wonder about your role in the future of the world look to Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #200. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 8:38-39 which reads: " For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Mother Teresa. She said, "Christ has come to bring the good news for you and for me. And as if that was not enough—it was not enough to become a man—He died on the cross to show that greater love, and He died for you and for me and for that leper and for that man dying of hunger and that naked person lying in the streets, not only of Calcutta, but of Africa, and New York, and London, and Oslo—and insisted that we love one another as He loves each one of us."

On last week, we took an extensive look at the context of this passage and the true meaning of Jesus' pronouncement on the fig tree. From a close study of this event, we saw that the fig tree is representative of Israel, and Jesus' cursing of the fig tree and its subsequent withering away is representative of the rejection that was in store for Israel in return for its rejection of the Messiah.

Now, the disciples who were with Jesus as he traveled back and forth to Jerusalem seemed to have missed the meaning of this event immediately after it happened. They did not see that in just a few more years, Israel, in all its religious glory, would "wither away" as a result of God's judgment. It is likely that, as we are shown numerous times in the Gospels, Jesus took the disciples aside and explained the meaning of His actions to them later. But right now, Matthew tells us that the disciples "marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away." They were amazed at the suddenness at which Jesus' pronouncement had come to pass.

Jesus took the opportunity provided by their amazement to tell them: "Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Dr. Louis Barbieri said, "Jesus used this event to teach a lesson in faith, for if they had genuine faith in God they not only would be able to do miracles such as seeing a fig tree wither away, but they would be able to move mountains. If they truly believed, they would receive whatever they prayed for. The Lord was teaching the importance of faith rather than doubting or simply marveling. By contrast the nation of Israel had failed to exercise faith in Him."

H.G. Wells said, "I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless Preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #199. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 10:14-15 which reads: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Sholem Asch. He said, "Jesus Christ is to me the outstanding personality of all time, all history, both as Son of God and as Son of Man. Everything He ever said or did has value for us today and that is something you can say of no other man, dead or alive. There is no easy middle ground to stroll upon. You either accept Jesus or reject Him."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #198. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:1 which reads: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Thomas Taylor. He said, "I am pretty sure that we err in treating these sayings as paradoxes. It would be nearer the truth to say that it is life itself which is paradoxical and that the sayings of Jesus are simply a recognition of that fact."

He is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. After attending high school in Pennsylvania, he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the second round, 50th overall, of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. He previously played for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was also a Topps Short-season/ Rookie All-Star.

He said of his faith, "I grew up going to church with my family every Sunday, but that’s all it was to me – just going to church on Sunday. I had awesome Christian friends who are still some of my closest friends that I’m in contact with to this day. While I was in high school, I started to understand the Christian message and why Jesus came. For the next few years I thought that I had enough basic knowledge to get by, but I just kind of put my faith on the back burner.

"I've now been married to my wife for six and a half years, and I started dating my wife as a senior in high school. One day she basically told me, 'Hey, unless you start following the Lord, I don’t think I can date you anymore.' At the time, it was my first year playing professional ball, and I knew that I had to start making my faith my own. I realized after I started to dig into the Bible that Jesus is after a relationship with me, and it’s not just about going to church on Sunday. God wants a lot more, He wants all of me. When I realized that, I think that’s when I started to understand the Christian faith.

"My favorite Bible verse is James 1:2-4. It says, 'Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.' I memorized that verse, it really spoke to me the first time I heard it. I've gone through a lot in this game of baseball. I've had two arm surgeries, shoulder surgery, elbow surgery and a number of back problems, so I've had a lot of time away from the game being hurt. It doesn't matter what I’m going through because I’m focused on Christ.

"Baseball will come and go. I could be done with this game tomorrow, but Christ lasts forever and He’s the reason why I’m living and playing this game. He has allowed me to come back from those injuries. From here on out I’m not taking things for granted. I think it helps me do things the right way because I know my faith is in something greater than the game of baseball. It’s in Christ, and knowing that my faith is in Christ alone helps keep me from doing the things that you might see other people fall into."

Last week, two convicted murderers escaped from a maximum security prison in New York. The escape, of course, baffled many until it was discovered that the two inmates had help from a prison employee. Their escape caused great concern for residents in the surrounding area, and a massive manhunt was launched to recapture the dangerous men.

Admittedly, the justice systems of earth are flawed. Sometimes, innocent people are convicted of crimes they did not commit. Sometimes, criminals are never brought to justice at all. Sometimes, those convicted of crimes do not get the punishment they deserve or get more punishment than they deserve. And, as we have seen this past week, sometimes, criminals escape the prison where they are serving time.

However, there is one Judge who never makes a mistake. A Judge who never meets out more or less punishment than is deserved. A Judge whom no criminal can buy off. A Judge who has the authority to lock any one of us up in a prison that is impossible to escape from.

I am talking about God, the Creator and Ruler of the universe, whom we will all have to face at the end of our lives. James 4:12 tells us, "There is one lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy." That Judge and Lawgiver is God. As sinners -- people who have done things that are wrong -- we are automatically condemned to die and spend eternity in a place called Hell. Matthew 10:28 tells us, "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

Hell is a place of punishment for sinners who have refused to take advantage of the only way they can avoid that place. And once you get in Hell, you can't get out. The Bible describes Hell as a place where people are "tormented day and night for ever and ever." Jesus Christ said that Hell is a place of "unquenchable fire." Once you are in Hell, you are shut in forever; there is no escape, there is no purgatory, there is no way out.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart said, "…I live with God ever before me. I recognize His omnipotence, I fear His anger; I acknowledge His love, too, His compassion and mercy towards all His creatures; He will never desert those who serve Him."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #197. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 16:25 which reads: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Joni Eareckson Tada. She said, "When I look at Jesus’ warm and intimate friendships, my heart fills with praise that Jesus was...a man. A man of flesh-and-blood reality. His heart felt the sting of sympathy. His eyes glowed with tenderness. His arms embraced. His lips smiled. His hands touched. Jesus was male! Jesus invites us to relate to him as the Son of Man. And because he is fully man, we can relate to Jesus with affection and love."

1 John 2:15: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

In our last lesson, we learned about the world system which the devil has set up in opposition to God's rule in the earth. The devil uses this system to entangle humans and keep them from seeing themselves as sinners in need of a Savior.

The Lord Jesus came into the world to deliver us from the power of Satan. Though He was in the world, He was not of it; that is, He was not a part of Satan's world-system. He said in John 14:30, "the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me (that is, hath no power over me)."

Satan did come to tempt Jesus, but Jesus overcame him and his world-system. Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of this world if He would only fall down and worship him, but Jesus refused this temptation. Instead, He chose to go to the cross, where He died for our sins.

On the third day, God raised Jesus up from the dead and gave Him all power in Heaven and in earth. God made Him to be the Head of a new creation.

Jesus Christ not only overcame Satan's world-system, but He also delivered us from it. The Bible says that Jesus "gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."

Recently, the names of several pastors who have committed suicide have been in the news. One of those pastors was a man by the name of Phil Lineberger who had struggled with depression for many years. He was 69 years old. Ironically, just four years ago, this pastor preached at the funeral of another pastor who committed suicide after a long struggle with depression. Terry Parker, Isaac Hunter, D.B. Antrim, Seth Oiler, Michael Mullis, and David Huskins are all pastors who have sadly committed suicide in recent months.

It seems as though with each passing week, we hear the news that someone else has taken their own life either because of depression or because of some kind of mental disorder. For example, comedian Robert Williams, wrestler Sean O’Haire, singer and Voice contestant Anthony Riley, Arizona high school track star Marcus Wheeler, actor Sawyer Sweeten, Missouri state auditor Tom Schweich, and multimillionaire hedge fund manager Robert W. Wilson. These are just some names you might recognize.

The topic of depression has gained much attention in the church due to the number of Christians, and, yes, even pastors, who have admitted to struggling with it. Some would say that Christians are not supposed to struggle with depression, but it is a fact of life. One writer calls depression "the common cold of emotional disorders." In the classic book, Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan, two of the main characters, Christian and Hopeful, struggle with a period of depression on their way to the Celestial City. As you know, from our last set of sermons in this series, Christian and Hopeful had left the straight and narrow way and had wandered onto another path that appeared to run parallel to the Heavenly road, but actually led them astray. When they realized their error, they tried to go back, but a violent storm arose and they were forced to take shelter in a nearby field. The following morning, when the storm passed, Christian and Hopeful were about to go on their way, when they were accosted by Giant Despair. Giant Despair owned the land that they had spent the night in, and he was out checking for damage from the storm when he discovered the two pilgrims. He seized them, accused them of trespassing on his land, and threw them into the dungeon of his castle. And that is where Christian and Hopeful fell into a period of depression and despair.

Recently, the names of several pastors who have committed suicide have been in the news. One of those pastors was a man by the name of Phil Lineberger who had struggled with depression for many years. He was 69 years old. Ironically, just four years ago, this pastor preached at the funeral of another pastor who committed suicide after a long struggle with depression. Terry Parker, Isaac Hunter, D.B. Antrim, Seth Oiler, Michael Mullis, and David Huskins are all pastors who have sadly committed suicide in recent months.

It seems as though with each passing week, we hear the news that someone else has taken their own life either because of depression or because of some kind of mental disorder. For example, comedian Robert Williams, wrestler Sean O’Haire, singer and Voice contestant Anthony Riley, Arizona high school track star Marcus Wheeler, actor Sawyer Sweeten, Missouri state auditor Tom Schweich, and multimillionaire hedge fund manager Robert W. Wilson. These are just some names you might recognize.

The topic of depression has gained much attention in the church due to the number of Christians, and, yes, even pastors, who have admitted to struggling with it. Some would say that Christians are not supposed to struggle with depression, but it is a fact of life. One writer calls depression "the common cold of emotional disorders." In the classic book, Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan, two of the main characters, Christian and Hopeful, struggle with a period of depression on their way to the Celestial City. As you know, from our last set of sermons in this series, Christian and Hopeful had left the straight and narrow way and had wandered onto another path that appeared to run parallel to the Heavenly road, but actually led them astray. When they realized their error, they tried to go back, but a violent storm arose and they were forced to take shelter in a nearby field. The following morning, when the storm passed, Christian and Hopeful were about to go on their way, when they were accosted by Giant Despair. Giant Despair owned the land that they had spent the night in, and he was out checking for damage from the storm when he discovered the two pilgrims. He seized them, accused them of trespassing on his land, and threw them into the dungeon of his castle. And that is where Christian and Hopeful fell into a period of depression and despair.

In Revelation 7, the 144,000 are seen at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. In Revelation 14, it shows them in triumph at the end of the Great Tribulation.

One thing that has been made clear from our study of Scripture regarding Israel in the end times is that just as God had a plan for Israel in the past as shown in the Old Testament, God also has plans for Israel in the future. One phase of that future plan which we have already looked at extensively is the prophecy that many Jews will accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Messiah during the Tribulation period. Another phase of that future plan which we are looking at now is the fact that God will call 144,000 Jews -- 12,000 from each tribe -- to preach the Gospel to the nations during the Tribulation period. In Revelation 7, we saw how God places His seal in the foreheads of these Jewish evangelists, marking them as His own. We also saw the amazing results of their evangelistic efforts in the end times. Even as many will be bowing down to the antichrist and coming under the influence of Satan, there will still be "a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" who will receive and believe the Gospel. Many of them will be persecuted and killed for their faith, but the celebration in Heaven makes the pain experienced on earth worth it for these believers.

While on last week we focused on those who were won to Christ by the Jewish evangelists, our passage this week shows us what becomes of the evangelists themselves. Verse 1 reads, "a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." In John's vision, we see all of the Jewish evangelists gathered with the Lamb Jesus Christ who is standing on "Mount Zion." Once again, John mentions the mark -- the heavenly Father's name written in their foreheads -- which distinguishes them from those who received the mark of the beast and who worship the beast.

William Ellery Channing said, "The sages and heroes of history are receding from us, and history contracts the record of their deeds into a narrower and narrower page. But time has no power over the name and deeds and words of Jesus Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #196. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Dr. Jeane Kirkpatrick. She said, "The U.N. Preamble reminds me of a secular version of the Lord's prayer because they say, 'Deliver us from evil.' Yet, they say it not to God, but to each other: 'Let us eliminate evil.' ...I thought about Jesus Christ the perfectly virtuous Son of God who was tried before an essentially indifferent Roman court and destroyed. God's own Son was not delivered from evil and violent death through the legal institutions of His society... I conclude that it is a fundamental mistake to think that salvation, justice, or virtue come through merely human institutions."

Henry Ward Beecher said, "If Christ is not divine, every impulse of the Christian world falls to a lower octave, and light and love and hope decline."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #195. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 2:38 which reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Mel Gibson. He said, "When you look at the reasons why Christ came, why He was crucified—He died for all mankind, He suffered for all mankind. So that, really, anybody that transgresses needs to look at their own part or their own culpability. It’s time to get back to a basic message, the message that was given...He forgave as He was tortured and killed."

George Bancroft said, "I find the name of Jesus Christ written on the top of every page of modern history."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #194. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Psalm 119:145 which reads: "I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "Whenever Christianity has struck out a new path on her journey it has been because the personality of Jesus has again become living, and a ray from His Being has once more illuminated the world."

Our passage today is one with which many of us are familiar. However, while we often focus on the latter part in which Jesus exhorts His disciples to pray in faith so that they can move mountains, we miss the true message Jesus intended to communicate by making an object lesson of the fig tree, and that is what we will look at today.

The Bible reads, "Now in the morning as [Jesus] returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away."

Jesus was on His way back into Jerusalem. A previous verse in this chapter tells us that although Jesus visited Jerusalem during the day, He lodged in Bethany at night. So, as He was going back into the city, He was hungry and went over to a fig tree that grew by the road expecting to find fruit, but there was no fruit growing on it. So Jesus curses the fig tree and condemns it to never bear fruit again. We are told that the tree withers away quickly and the disciples are amazed by this event.

It seems absurd that Jesus would curse a fig tree for not bearing any fruit. After all, it isn't the tree's fault. The Gospel of Mark informs us that it was not even the time of year for figs to be growing. Perhaps the figs that had been on the tree had been picked by others already. Cursing a fig tree for not having any fruit is like kicking a chicken for not producing any eggs. It's pointless. But in Jesus' case, there really is a lesson He wants us to learn.

Augustine said, "Christ is not valued at all, unless He is valued above all."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #193. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 13:8 which reads: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Tom Osborne. He said, "It is important to recognize that Jesus came as a servant, not as a king. In coaching, there is often a temptation for the coach to see himself as the ultimate authority and the athletes as being subservient. If Jesus is the model, then the coach is truly a servant of his players."

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Keep Martin Luther King in the background, and God (Jesus) in the foreground, and everything will be alright."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #192. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:13 which reads: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Patrick Henry. He said, "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!"

Tom Malone said, "I am a fan of Jesus, and have been for going on sixty-two years, and I believe every word, every word that the Lord has ever said about anything."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #191. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Galatians 3:28 which reads: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Chuck Norris. He said, "Real men do live for Christ. It is important to make your peace with Christ while the opportunity exists. Life is so fragile that you never know when it's going to be over. It could be over in the blink of an eye, and then it's too late to accept God's gift of salvation."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #190. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:14 which reads: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from George W. Truett. He said, "Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries."

He is a rapper, best known for being a member of The Sugarhill Gang. The Sugarhill Gang was the first hip hop act to produce a record, "Rapper's Delight" in 1979. It was the first rap single to become a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The group's albums include "8th Wonder" and "Jump on It!".

In an article for Urban Faith, he tells the story of how he was able to forgive the owner of the record label over a past grievance and lead him to the Lord on his hospital bed. He said, "I was able to pray with the man who had done me so much harm because 'He [Christ] loved us first before we loved Him, and because He said, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.' He forgave the people. He said, ‘Father, forgive them because they know not what they do.' How many times do we forgive somebody? Seven times? No. Seventy times seven. And it's grace. Grace can't be earned. It's mercy. Mercy has to be shown in unruliness."

"I recounted the story of God's mercy in delivering the Israelites on the banks of the Red Sea and with manna and a pillar of fire despite their complaining. And it was the prayer of salvation that I prayed with him. I was hoping that he made that move because what they did to us was absolutely terrible--–it can't be overlooked, but eternity is eternity. This is for a small season, and it was really wrong, but you have to overlook that when you're feet are on the edge of going over to the other side. So, I had to throw all that out the window. And, it really wasn't hard when it came down to that. When it comes down to crossing over, we're all one heartbeat, we're all one breath away from eternity."

"I'm a person of faith, but I don't want to put walls around myself or any kind of bondage because there's freedom in Christ. I want my priorities to be changed."

No doubt this past week, you were exposed to the media coverage regarding athlete and television personality William Bruce Jenner choosing to become a woman. Jenner, who won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1975 Pan-American games and the 1976 Olympic Games, was featured on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine proclaiming that he is now to be called "Caitlyn." Obviously many people are surprised that a man who has been married three times and is a father to six children would make such a shocking decision. No doubt, many people who know him and who are related to him are still trying to come to terms with this event.

While many in the media, in sports, and in celebrity arenas are praising him for being "bold" and "courageous," let's take a look at what the Bible has to say about Bruce Jenner.

1. Bruce Jenner is a man. That is the way God made him. Genesis 1:27 describes how God made men and women: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." No matter how much surgery Bruce Jenner undergoes, no matter how much makeup he puts on, no matter what he changes his name to, no matter how often he wears women's clothes, no matter how many people applaud him for seemingly "changing" his gender, the simple fact is, in God's eyes, he is still a man.

2. "Bruce Jenner is a sinner." In other words Bruce Jenner is a sinful man. I do not say this to pick on Bruce Jenner. He is not alone as a sinner because all men and women are sinners. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Each of us has a sinful nature that causes us to desire things that are wrong and things that are evil. Unfortunately, because of our sinful nature, we are naturally inclined toward selfishness and pride, and away from God. We desire to do things that do not please God and to obtain things that God knows are not good for us. As the songwriter says, we are all "prone to wander."

3. Bruce Jenner is a man in need of salvation. And, not only salvation, but peace of heart, mind, soul, and spirit. The only person who can save him from his sinfulness and the punishment of sin, which is death and Hell, is Jesus Christ. First Timothy 1:15 says, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." The only person who can give Bruce Jenner eternal peace and satisfaction in his heart, mind, soul, and spirit is Jesus Christ. The Bible says the peace that one can gain through Jesus Christ transcends "all understanding." First Peter 1:8 also says that those who love and believe in Jesus Christ will "rejoice with joy unspeakable."

Bruce Jenner is a confused, discontented, peaceless, restless man in need of God's salvation through Jesus Christ. As Saint Augustine declared, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." Until Bruce Jenner comes to Jesus Christ, he will never be the man that he has the potential to be.

Today, you might be struggling with sin in your own life like Bruce Jenner is struggling with sin in his life. You, too, may be confused, discontented, peaceless, and restless like Bruce Jenner is. You are a sinner and in need of salvation. Right now, I want to give you the opportunity to receive Christ as your Savior so that you can find the peace and satisfaction that God has in store for you through a relationship with Him. Please listen carefully.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26: "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."

John 6:58 says, "This is the bread which came down from heaven: not as the fathers ate and died; he that eateth this bread shall live forever".

TAKE AND EAT

"In the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, ‘This cup is the new testament in my blood: This do you as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me.' For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come."

Hebrews 9:22 says, "According to the law . . . all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from the shedding of blood there is no remission."

1 John 1:7 says, "But if we walk in the light as he is the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin."

TAKE AND DRINK

After they had finished the first Supper, they sang a hymn and went out into the night.

1 John 2:15: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

Every Christian is called to spiritual warfare! The Bible speaks of three terrible enemies that war against the Christian—the flesh, the world, and the devil. We have already considered the flesh, so in this lesson, we will study about the enemy called "the world."

The Bible uses the word "world" in three different ways. First, it can refer to THE EARTH or the cosmos which God created. Next, it can refer to PEOPLE as in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world..." A third use is found in I John 2:15, where the child of God is warned, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world."

Here, "the world" refers to the WORLD-SYSTEM, which is a deadly enemy of the child of God. This is the sense in which we will be using the word in this lesson.

What is the World-System? How did it come into being? Who controls it? How does it affect the unsaved person, and how does it affect the Christian? These are important questions, and we are going to learn the answers in this lesson.

To understand how the world-system came into being, we must go back to the beginning of things. The first man, Adam, was created in the image of God and was given the rulership of the earth. But Adam rebelled against God. When he did this, he actually took sides with Satan and came under the rule of Satan. Adam brought the whole human race into the kingdom of darkness and under the power of Satan. Thus, the rulership of the earth passed out of Adam's hands and into Satan's hands. This is why the Bible calls Satan "the god of this world."

Even though Satan had the human race in his kingdom, he still had a problem. His problem was how to keep people in his kingdom. Those who turned to God in repentance and faith escaped Satan's rule. Of course, Satan did not like this, so he came up with a plan.

Satan organized the human race into a "world-system" based on pride, ambition, selfishness, greed, and sinful pleasure. You can see that there is nothing of God in these things. Thus, the world-system is human society with God left out.

In our last message, we began looking at the origin of the 144,000 witnesses spoken of in Revelation 7. These witnesses are Jewish believers whom God will mark as His own in the midst of the Tribulation. These witnesses will refuse to submit to the antichrist, they will be persecuted, but they will persist in their mission to preach the Gospel. What will be the outcome of their task? We see this outcome starting in Revelation 7:9 -- a multitude of believers before the throne of God.

Notice that this is a diverse multitude. John writes, "I beheld a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues..." This verse lets us know that even in the midst of the Tribulation period, there will be a great harvest of souls. Some believe that when the church is taken out of the world in the Rapture, the Holy Spirit will be taken out as well. However, that is not the case. The Holy Spirit will only cease to act in His restraining capacity against evil. However, the Holy Spirit will continue to convince those who will hear of the truth of the Gospel of Christ.

In his commentary on Revelation, Dr. Paige Patterson writes that, through his description, "John is making the point that this group is ethnically distinct from the Jews who are sealed in the first part of the chapter, and they are further ethnically, tribally, and linguistically diverse from one another—indicating the extent to which the gospel of Jesus Christ has permeated the entire earth." This passage shows us that even in the middle of the darkest days on earth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ will still be effective and powerful. Thank God that many will believe and be saved.

This passage also shows us that the Jews will fulfill their original purpose as God's chosen people in the end times. The Israelites were chosen to be a nation of prophets, priests, and missionaries to the rest of the world. They were to proclaim God's goodness -- especially as it concerns the sending of the Messiah for the salvation of the world -- to the Gentiles. This purpose is finally carried out during the last days when 144,000 Jews preach the saving message of God's grace to a world desperately in need of salvation.

David F. Strauss said, "The resurrection is the centre of the centre, the real heart of Christianity as it has been until now."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #189. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Revelation 17:14 which reads: "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Fred Barlow. He said, "The cross of Christ shows us that God's love is of deepest descent...universal distribution ...and of eternal duration."

Tony Evans said, "What makes Jesus such a wonderful counselor is that His perspective is infinite; His resources unlimited. His experience includes a lifetime on earth during which he experienced the same trials and temptations we face. Who could be better qualified to offer us guidance and direction?"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #188. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:18 which reads: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Paul Althus. He said, "The resurrection proclamation could not have been maintained in Jerusalem for a single day, for a single hour, if the emptiness of the tomb had not been established as a fact."

John Piper said, "The point is not that the resurrection is the price paid for our sins. The point is that the resurrection proves the death of Jesus is an all-sufficient price. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then his death was a failure, God did not vindicate his sin-bearing achievement, and we are still in our sins."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #187. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Timothy 2:5-6 which reads: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Blaise Pascal. He said, "What reason have atheists for saying that we cannot rise again? Which is the more difficult, to be born or to rise again? That what has never been, should be, or that what has been, should be again? Is it more difficult to come into being than to return to it?"

Julien B. Weil said, "Live in the awareness that Christ lives and that He lives in His people."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #186. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 22:37 which reads: "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Sam Morris. He said, "The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it DOES NOT CONTAIN."

Jesus’ actions at the Temple came at a time in history when God was beginning to move the Temple aside as the primary representation of God's presence on earth and set up the church as that representation. Jesus had predicted the destruction of Temple which occurred about 40 years later when the Romans destroyed the city in 70 AD. Jesus had also declared Peter as the "rock" upon which He would build His church. So, as we look at Jesus' admonishments to those leading the services and rituals at the Temple, we can look at our place in the church and apply many of the same principles today.

Already we have seen that the house of prayer is a place for those who are separated from God to draw near to Him. Although the Temple was built for the Jews, it became a destination for those Gentiles who wanted to worship and serve the one, true God. The house of prayer is also a place where the supremacy of God should be evident. God declared that the Temple was His house, and as such, His will was to be carried out in it. The church is also God's house, and we must ask ourselves if the will of God is being done in our churches today.

As we close out our look at this event from Jesus' ministry, please notice that the "house of prayer" is also a place for people to receive spiritual and physical blessings from God. After Jesus cleans out the Temple and rebukes the religious leaders for making it a house of merchandise and a den of thieves, the Bible tells us that "the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them." The fact that "the blind and the lame" are mentioned specifically is important because many Jews did not believe that anyone who had a physical defect should be allowed on the Temple property. Dr. John Nolland states, "Matthew makes a point of noting that this event also takes place in the temple. As with the disruption of the market, the location is the most public part of the temple, where even Gentiles were permitted." The people who were traditionally cut off from the assembly of Israel were brought in by Jesus in a very public fashion. They were touched by God and were made whole.

Robert L. Moyer said, "The resurrection of the dead is the chief truth of the Christian faith....He who takes away the resurrection mantles our future with Egyptian darkness. To take away the resurrection is to leave man with no preeminence above the beast....Other doctrines are important; this is one of the essentials."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #185. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 10:9 which reads: "I am the Door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Fred Rogers. He said, "I can't imagine more surprising places for God to appear than a manger or a cross. Yet all through his life and resurrection, Jesus demonstrates the power of showing and sharing God's love. Every time I write a script or a song or walk into the studio, I pray 'Let some word that is heard be Thine.' That's really all that matters."

John K. Hutcheson, Sr. said, "Jesus went to the cross because God is holy and sin must be punished."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #184. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 6:11 which reads: "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Joyce Meyer. She said, "Believe that Jesus did what the Bible says. Believe He is indeed the Son of God, born of a virgin. He took man's sin on the cross. He did not stay dead. He was in the grave three days. During that time, He entered hell, where you and I deserved to go (legally) because of our sin."

He is a former racing car driver, television broadcaster, and author. He is a 3-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, a 3-time NASCAR Cup Series runner-up, and winner of the Daytona 500 in 1989, and a 5-time winner of the Series' longest race—the Coca-Cola 600. He still holds many NASCAR records, more than a decade after his retirement as an active driver. He has received numerous awards including NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award, American Driver of the Year, and NASCAR's Driver of the Decade in the 1980s. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012. He is the lead television analyst and race commentator with Fox, a columnist at Foxsports.com, and an author.

He said of his faith, "In 1983 I wasn’t very popular. I was a smart-mouthed, cocky, arrogant sports figure. Then a couple of things got my attention. First, I had a serious accident in Daytona; it was a really ugly scene. After that crash, I said to myself, 'My priorities are right.' I was so wrapped up in my professional life. I never thought about a commitment to God.

As I became more and more successful, I would think, 'I have a great life, but I have this hollow feeling.' I looked at what I had accomplished and what I had won, and realized there was no glory there. Soon I met minister named Dr. Cortez Cooper, and we developed a solid relationship. He was the first minister in my life who could really make the Bible come alive. With his help, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I have learned that God is there all the time."

"I've been a Christian since 1983 but even then I was more interested in what I wanted than what God wanted. As I began to grow as a Christian I began to realize that there were more things in life more important than winning races and what I thought. I began to see that serving God needed to be first. God showed me just how blessed I was in having such a strong Christian wife and how children are a true blessing as well. The most important thing to do is to pray and study the Bible. God can take your need and bless you as well as others around you if you put Him first."

The images coming out of Texas this week have been striking -- water levels as high as trees and stop signs, cars and trucks submerged, people riding boats where they used to drive, entire neighborhoods reduced to what look like miniature archipelagos -- just the roofs of houses visible above the waterline. So much rain has fallen in Texas over the past few weeks -- 37.3 trillion gallons to be exact -- enough to cover the entire state in eight inches of water. The flooding in the southern and southeastern part of the state has been unprecedented and some have compared the deluge to the aftermath of a major hurricane.

It is hard for many, especially those who live in America, to imagine their entire community and all of their belongings washed away by a rainstorm and flooded rivers. Unfortunately, many have lost valuable possessions and some have even lost their lives.

Seeing the flooding in my own home state of Texas reminds me of the Great Flood which occurred thousands of years ago. God sent that worldwide flood to not only destroy the earth, but to destroy every living thing -- people and animals -- except those who were safe with Noah in the ark. God sent the flood then because the people of earth had become exceedingly wicked and violent and God decided to rid the earth of them and start all over with Noah and his family and the animals.

James Gibbons said, "We do not attach any intrinsic value to the Cross; this would be sinful and idolatrous. Our veneration is referred to Him who died upon it.’"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #183. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 14:23 which reads: "And when he [Jesus] had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Eric Sauer. He said, "Christ is risen! With this victorious cry the gospel has passed through the lands. The message of the cross is at the same time a message of resurrection. In this lies its invincibility."

In part 1 of this lesson, we began talking about the problem of the flesh. Our sinful flesh always wants us to sin. However, as Christians, we have a power within us that enables us to resist the evil that our flesh wants and do the good that our Heavenly Father wants us to do.

In part 2 of this lesson, we learned about that force -- the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity who lives inside of us, who makes war against the flesh and the devil, and who enables us to do what is right and live as Christ would live.

Today, we are going to look at our role in choosing to follow the path of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, there will always be two ways before us. We can walk in the flesh, or we can walk in the Spirit. To walk in the flesh means to be under the control of the flesh; to walk in the Spirit means to be under the control of the Holy Spirit.

We have already seen what happens when the flesh rules in man. These terrible sins of the flesh are possible in the life of every unsaved person. They are also possible in the life of a Christian. There is not one sin of the flesh that we are not capable of committing. The Bible warns us, "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."

So, how can we overcome the flesh? To keep from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, we must walk in the Spirit. This means that we must be under the control of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul wrote, "This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye will not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

Temptation, sin, and the consequences of sin are a recurring theme in life. Just looking back over the past few weeks, how many instances can you recall that have been brought to light in the media because of sins that somebody committed and thought they got away with? The FIFA corruption scandal, the former U.S. house speaker, Dennis Hastert scandal, the Josh Duggar scandal, just to name a few. All of these situations came about because of temptation that led to sin and that is now leading to consequences or death - death to a cushy job, death to a reputation of integrity, or death to a popular show.

In our message last week, we talked about these consequences. The Bible says that “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [his fleshly desires], and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Sin is viewed as an active force; once it is released in your life, it will wreak havoc especially if it is not confessed and dealt with swiftly. We see the effects of sin being played out in our own lives and in the world around us on a daily basis. If you are a Christian, continued sin will eventually cause you to stray from the straight and narrow path and backslide in your faith. Thank God that by His mercy and grace we cannot lose our salvation. However, we will be sorely ineffective in our Christian walk, and that is a major reason why we ought to resist giving in to the lust of the flesh.

The story is told of the Greek hero Ulysses as he was sailing home with his soldiers from a war. Their ship had to sail by an island which had a treacherous stretch of rocky coastline. On the island lived beautiful creatures known as sirens. They sang a seductive, enticing melody that enraptured sailors' hearts as they passed by and caused them to want to reach the source of the song so badly that they would drive their ships on the rocks and die. In order to get past this temptation, Ulysses had his men to put wax in their ears so they would not hear the sirens' song and he himself was tied to the mast to prevent himself from acting on the urge to turn the ship toward the dangerous shoreline. In this way, Ulysses and his men survived a trap by which many other sailors had perished.

The temptations we face are like the sirens on that island. Temptation has a beautiful, irresistible melody, but once we act on it, we find out that it is truly a song of death and destruction. James, tells us, however, that we do not have to give in to temptation. In fact, he gives us three incentives to remain on the straight and narrow way, and that is what we are going to talk about today. Verse 12 of our passage states, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." As we have already learned, the word temptation can mean either a trial, that is a test coming from the Lord, or an enticement to sin. Either way, the man who endures his temptation, the man who perseveres through it, is "blessed."

Over the previous ten messages, we have been looking at Israel in the end times, and specifically God's promise that "all Israel will be saved." Well, that was just the first part of this series. As I mentioned in the first message, there are two other aspects regarding what will happen to Israel in the last days that are spoken of in the Bible. As a reminder, here are all three:

1. The national conversion of Israel to Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

2. The conversion of Gentiles who are living during the Tribulation through the witness of the Jews.

3. The fulfillment of the Davidic covenant through the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom.

Today, we are going to begin looking at the second part of God's three-fold plan for the children of Israel in the end times. The primary passage regarding the Jewish witnesses whom God will use to convert many Gentiles to Christ during the last days, is found in Revelation chapter 7. We will be looking at this entire passage as well as Revelation chapter 14. Revelation 7 shows the calling of the witnesses as well as the result of their work on the earth. Revelation 14 shows us what happens to these witnesses after their work on earth is complete. We are going to start out by looking at the first 8 verses of Revelation chapter 7 as we answer the questions: Where do these witnesses come from? Who are they? And how are they called?

Arlo D. Duba said, "The ascension gives opportunity to stress the second coming of Christ and the glory of the kingdom of heaven. It also stresses that we must at the same time joyfully accept the responsibility of kingdom living here, today. When we catch the vision of the glory of God and the immensity of the gift of God's redemption, we can no longer go on with "life as usual," but we press on in joy."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #182. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Marc Cortez. He said, "The ascension is a powerful reminder of our destiny. Here it’s important to remember that Jesus did not stop being human when he ascended. It’s not as though his humanity was a costume that he put on at Christmas and hastily discarded at the ascension. Jesus represents us as our High Priest forever specifically because he remains one of us forever. So the ascension points to our destiny as humans – ruling over God’s creation and manifesting his glory everywhere."

Bill Crowder said, "...Death was not Jesus' penalty; it was His destiny. It was not His lot in life; it was His mission. It was not His unavoidable fate; it was His purpose statement for coming to earth that first Christmas: ‘Born to die.’"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #181. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 5:1 which reads: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Kenneth L. Woodward. He said, "Because Christianity’s influence is so pervasive throughout much of the world, it is easy to forget how radical its beliefs once were. Jesus’ resurrection forever changed Christians’ view of death. Rodney Stark, sociologist at the University of Washington, points out that when a major plague hit the ancient Roman Empire, Christians had surprisingly high survival rates. Why? Most Roman citizens would banish any plague-stricken person from their household. But because Christians had no fear of death, they nursed their sick instead of throwing them out on the streets. Therefore, many Christians survived the plague."

Sir Robert Anderson said, "That Jesus of Nazareth died upon a cross is mere matter of history; that He who did so die was the Christ the Son of God is entirely a matter of revelation."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #180. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 3:3 which reads: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Vincent van Gogh. He said, "Christ alone... has affirmed as a principal certainty, eternal life, the infinity of time, the nothingness of death, the necessity and the raison d’etre of serenity and devotion. He lived serenely, as a greater artist than all other artists, despising marble and clay as well as color, working in living flesh. That is to say, this matchless artist... made neither statues nor pictures nor books; he loudly proclaimed that he made... living men, immortals."

Oswald Chambers said, "Jesus Christ became Incarnate for one purpose, to make a way back to God that man might stand before Him as He was created to do, the friend and lover of God Himself. "

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #179. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 28:18 which reads: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Calvin Miller. He said, "Our problem is this: we usually discover him within some denominational or Christian ghetto. We meet him in a province and, having caught some little view, we paint him in smaller strokes. The Lion of Judah is reduced to something kittenish because our understanding cannot, at first, write larger definitions."

What do people think of when they think of the church? Some people think of the church as merely a cultural institution that has no real consequence in everyday life. Some people think of the church as a community outreach center -- it only exists to be of assistance to the community, especially when disaster strikes. Others think of the church as the place you go for funerals, weddings, and baby dedications. But what should people think of when they think of the church?

In our passage, Jesus Christ says that His house should be called "a house of prayer." Last week, we saw that this entails being a place where people who do not have a relationship with God can draw near to Him. Unfortunately, the Temple -- the place which symbolized the presence of God on earth during Jesus' day -- was being defiled by those who were using it as a place of merchandise -- a source of income to fill their coffers. Jesus rebukes these people and clears the Temple of the merchants and their wares for the second time in His ministry career. The constant buying and selling going on in the Temple was a hindrance to those who were trying to get to God.

Today, we see that the house of prayer is not only a place for those who are separated from God, but it is also a place for the supremacy of God. "Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Martin Luther said, "The gospel demands not works to make us holy and to redeem us. Indeed, it condemns such works, and demands only faith in Christ, because He has overcome sin, death and hell for us."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #178. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 6:11 which reads: "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Herbert Muller. He said, "The essential teachings of Jesus... were literally revolutionary, and will always remain so if they are taken seriously."

Oswald Sanders said, "The ascension was a complete and final demonstration that Jesus' atonement had forever solved the problem created by man’s sin and rebellion."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #177. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 1:9 which reads: "And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Nancy Leigh DeMoss. He said, "The ascension was both an end and a beginning. It marked the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the end of His humiliation. At the same time, it marked the beginning of His exaltation that we read about in Philippians 2 and His heavenly ministry on our behalf."

He is a professional basketball player who plays the center and power forward positions for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. In high school, he was named "Mr. Basketball" as well as a McDonald's All-American. He played college basketball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was named the ACC Player of the Year in his senior year. In 2009, North Carolina won the NCAA championship against Michigan State. He was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2012 NBA draft and traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers that same night. He played for the Cavaliers from 2012 to 2014 before being traded to the Boston Celtics.

In an interview with Athletes In Action, he said of his faith, "I've got to give my parents a lot of credit for making me the person I am today. They took me to church every Sunday. As a little kid you draw pictures and everything, but over time you start to develop an appreciation for that, and you start to pay attention.

I came to faith my freshman year of high school. My brother took me to a couple of Bible studies and then to a camp, which is really where I got to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I embraced that as my own – what He did for us, how He died on the cross and took all our sins away and gave us the life that we shouldn't be able to have.

Being competitive and being a Christian can go hand in hand. You've got to go out and play hard and compete, but you also have to do it in a Christian way. If you lose, you can be hard on yourself, but you don't want to go curse up a storm, hit somebody and all this. It's about the way you act. You can be very competitive, but you've got to be able to win in the right way and lose in the right way.

Audience of One is a huge concept in my life. It means that even though you have all these fans and things going on, your audience is really only God. Your main focus is on what He believes about you, not what all these people think. Maybe you missed a game-winning shot and you're very frustrated. But God still loves you, and there's a purpose for everything. Maybe He wanted you to miss that shot to learn a lesson, or there's something down the road, or maybe you just weren't supposed to win that game. There's always something. When you can understand that, it makes life so much easier. You can go out – you're going to lose, you're going to be frustrated at times – but you can come back and know that God's got a purpose for you. He's going to give you what you need to have, but He's also going to challenge you in ways. When you face challenges, it's going to develop perseverance in you and help you, and going forward it will make you a stronger person and a stronger Christian.

The line that I always use is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I know if you look at the actual verse it's not speaking in terms of basketball, but God really does strengthen me emotionally and physically. He's always with me, always getting me through things, in basketball and in life."

Dave Goldberg was an American entrepreneur and a Silicon Valley executive. He was the founder of LAUNCH Media and the CEO of SurveyMonkey, a company valued at $1 billion. He was, by all accounts, happily married for eleven years and had two children. Earlier this month, while on vacation in Mexico, he collapsed while exercising and died later that day at a hospital. He was only 47 years old, and the news of his death came as a shock to the tech industry and people who had known him and worked with him down through the years.

The unexpectedness of Dave Goldberg's death reminds us of the fragility of life. It also reminds us that success, financial stability, and fulfillment in life cannot insulate us from death. One moment all can be going well; the next moment, tragedy strikes and our world is upended. We are reminded of the Bible's words, "What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." King David wrote in Psalm 39: "LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am." The death of David Goldberg reminds us that we need to be ready for what comes after death — a meeting with God and the beginning of life in an eternal destination. At any moment, despite our past good fortune and despite our plans for the future, we can suddenly and unexpectedly cross the line from life to death. The question is: Are you prepared?

Today, you have the opportunity to make sure that you will spend eternity in Heaven with God by accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Please don't put off this decision, for as we see from the life of Dave Goldberg, we do not know what tomorrow holds.

Marc Cortez said, "The ascension of Jesus Christ is a powerful reminder of our destiny."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #176. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Arlo Duba. He said, "The ascension gives opportunity to stress the second coming of Christ and the glory of the kingdom of heaven."

In part 1 of this lesson, we began talking about the problem of the flesh. Our sinful flesh always wants us to sin. However, as Christians, we have a power within us that enables us to resist the evil that our flesh wants and do the good that our Heavenly Father wants us to do.

That force is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God; He is not just an influence for good. He is a Person who lives within us.

The Holy Spirit is God's Gift to each of His children. Every believer in the Lord Jesus has the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. And once the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in our heart He will never leave us. The Lord Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter [the Holy Spirit], that He may abide with you FOREVER."

The temptation to sin is a recurring problem for all people, Christian and non-Christian alike. The great American statesman, Benjamin Franklin, who is considered by many to be a very wise man, once set out to live in moral perfection. He stated that if he knew right from wrong, he saw no reason why he ought not to be able to always do what was right and always avoid doing what was wrong. However, he remarked in his autobiography that after attempting to do this, "I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined. While my care was employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason."

As Christians in the world, we also face the same dilemma as Benjamin Franklin. The temptation to do something that is displeasing to God is always present. As Paul said, "Evil is present with me." Last week, we looked at the "Why" behind Christians who fall into sin and begin to stray from the straight and narrow path. There are two main reasons for this: the devil and the flesh. The devil wants to destroy a Christian's testimony and make him or her an ineffective witness for Christ. And when we speak of the "flesh," we are talking about our human nature which is naturally sinful. The pull of these two forces often leads many Christians to go astray and to leave the straight and narrow way.

Today, we are going to look at the consequences of such action so that we will be fortified against temptation and encouraged to not give in to temptation. Our passage states, "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [his fleshly desires], and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

The temptation to sin is a recurring problem for all people, Christian and non-Christian alike. The great American statesman, Benjamin Franklin, who is considered by many to be a very wise man, once set out to live in moral perfection. He stated that if he knew right from wrong, he saw no reason why he ought not to be able to always do what was right and always avoid doing what was wrong. However, he remarked in his autobiography that after attempting to do this, "I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined. While my care was employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason."

As Christians in the world, we also face the same dilemma as Benjamin Franklin. The temptation to do something that is displeasing to God is always present. As Paul said, "Evil is present with me." Last week, we looked at the "Why" behind Christians who fall into sin and begin to stray from the straight and narrow path. There are two main reasons for this: the devil and the flesh. The devil wants to destroy a Christian's testimony and make him or her an ineffective witness for Christ. And when we speak of the "flesh," we are talking about our human nature which is naturally sinful. The pull of these two forces often leads many Christians to go astray and to leave the straight and narrow way.

Today, we are going to look at the consequences of such action so that we will be fortified against temptation and encouraged to not give in to temptation. Our passage states, "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [his fleshly desires], and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

In his book "Future Israel", Barry Horner calls Romans chapter 11 "the crucial passage regarding the New Testament teaching concerning the present nature and destiny of national Israel." One of the important threads that we see in this passage is the sovereignty of God.

In the past nine messages, we have seen that the sovereignty of God is demonstrated in the election of grace which is spoken of in Romans 11:5 -- "Even so then at this present time also there is a [Israeli] remnant according to the election of grace." The sovereignty of God is demonstrated in God's dealings with the Gentiles spoken of in verse 11 which says, "through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles." And the sovereignty of God is demonstrated in the eventual salvation of Israel spoken of in verse 26 which says, "so all Israel shall be saved."

As we have seen, Israel's rejection of Jesus Christ opened the way for Gentiles to hear and receive the Gospel of Christ. What Paul makes clear in the conclusion of this passage is that we, Jews and Gentiles, are on level ground before the cross of Christ. He says in verses 30 and 31, "For as ye [Gentiles] in times past have not believed God... Even so have these [the Jews] also now not believed." Both Gentiles and Jews are guilty of sin. Both Gentiles and Jews are guilty of nonbelief. Both Gentiles and Jews are guilty of rejecting Christ. But the good news is that both Gentiles and Jews are eligible for God's mercy and grace. Regarding these two verses, Richard Lenski writes that Paul is saying "These still disobedient Jews are in the position you believing Gentiles once occupied with your disobedience: as their disobedience brought you mercy, the mercy you have is to bring them to the same mercy from their disobedience. God made no mistake and has nothing to regret in regard to the gracious gifts and the call he extended to the patriarchs and to the Jews. All is working out according to his wonderful plans."

Jerry D. Locke said, "The ascension signified Jesus’ earthly ministry was completed, that His heavenly ministry had commenced, and that our earthly ministry was commissioned."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #175. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Philippians 2:9-11 which reads: "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Josh Tinley. He said, "The Ascension helps Christians better understand our eschatology (beliefs about the end times or the fulfillment and culmination of all things). It reminds us that we don’t look forward to a day when our spirits float away from our body and eventually wind up in heaven. Rather, we look forward to a day when heaven and earth are made new and we walk with Jesus, and one another, in perfected bodies."

Tommy Lane said, "Jesus continues to be present after his ascension but in a new way. Now he is present in the Church."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #174. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:51 which reads: "And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "The Ascension is a sign and symbol of the Second Coming. When the risen Lord returns again in glory, God's will for mankind will be fulfilled."

John MacArthur said, "The only person who ever lived whose accomplishments were written before He was born was Jesus Christ. And so while it makes sense to celebrate His birthday because it was already written what He would accomplish, it also makes equal sense to celebrate His ascension which ended His earthly journey...not in death the way everybody else's earthly journey ends, but in simply transporting Himself in full view of His followers into heaven."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #173. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Ephesians 1:20-23 which reads: "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Michael Morrison. He said, "We do not need to stand around gazing at the sky, waiting for Christ to return. For that matter, neither do we need to be gazing at the Scriptures for clues as to exactly when this might be, when Scripture tells us quite plainly that it isn't for us to know. Instead, we have the promise that he will return, and that should be enough for us. There is work to do, and we need to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Matthew Henry said, "When we stand gazing and trifling, the thoughts of our Master's second coming should quicken and awaken us: when we stand gazing and trembling, they should comfort and encourage us."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #172. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:51 which reads: "And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Edward Root. He said, "Christ 'ascended,' not to depart from earth, but to take the throne of His Kingdom on earth."

We are all familiar with the story of Jesus Christ going into the Temple and finding that the religious leaders have turned it into a marketplace. There is all manner of buying and selling going on. Jesus makes a whip and begins driving the merchants out of the temple -- overturning the tables where they are carrying out their business. He famously says, "It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves." The Gospel of John 2:17 says, 'And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.' And, in the passage we just read, Jesus Christ is quoting God's message to Isaiah, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer.'

It is a tragedy today that many Christians -- just like the Jewish religious leaders -- have abandoned one of the main purposes of the church, and that is to be a 'house of prayer.' According to the book, Evangelism: Christ’s Imperative Commission, by Roland Leavell, statistics show that while 30% of people who claim to be Christians never attend a Sunday church service, 80% of people who claim to be Christians never attend a prayer meeting. What is perhaps even sadder is that 20% never even pray. In fact, many church buildings are used for everything but the serious work of prayer.

This passage reveals some of the purposes for which the House of Prayer should be used, and today, we see that the House of Prayer is a place for those who are separated from God.

Wayne Jackson said, "The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the foundation truth of the gospel. For that reason, occasionally the “resurrection” narrative has overshadowed the “ascension” record. But the ascension event is of equal significance, and careful attention should be given to it."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #171. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 1:9-11 which reads: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "The ascension of Christ presents a problem for the opponents of Christianity. If Jesus was not raised from the dead, or if he somehow survived the ordeal of Calvary and died later, surely the Lord’s enemies would have vigorously sought to reclaim his body, thus nullifying the “resurrection” story. With such a “trophy,” Christianity could have been crushed in its infancy. Those efforts, however, if they occurred, were in vain. That lack of evidence indirectly supports the record of the ascension; there was no earthly corpse."

John A. Battle said, "Jesus was to return to heaven until the kingdom would be given to him at his second coming. During this interval his church is to be his witness, empowered by the Holy Spirit."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #170. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 16:25 which reads: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "After his resurrection the Lord Jesus was exalted to a position of great glory. God gave all authority to him. He is now in heaven, sitting at his Father’s right hand. Apart from God Himself, there is no greater being in the whole universe."

Our key Bible passage today is Galatians 5:16: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Our lesson today is titled "A New Power, Part 1"

Every Christian has within himself two opposing powers -- the flesh and the Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants us to do God's will, but the flesh wants us to please ourselves. Let us think for a few moments about these two powers.

What is the flesh? Everyone is born with a sinful nature which the Bible calls "the flesh." This sinful nature is the only nature unsaved people have. The "Spirit" is the Holy Spirit. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. So the Christian has within him the flesh and the Spirit.

Some Christians believe that their old nature was destroyed or removed when they were saved, but this is not so. God does not remove the old sinful nature when He saves us; instead, He gives us His Spirit to overcome it. As long as we are in this life, we will have the flesh with us, and it will always oppose the Spirit of God within us. Galatians 5:17 says, "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." In other words, "The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other."

In this lesson, we will first consider the enemy within us -- the flesh. We want to see where it came from, what happens when it controls our life, and how we can have victory over it.

A particularly troubling Pew survey came out last week regarding the state of religion in America. According to the survey, which is said to have "big and broad" implications for society going forward, in the past seven years, the number of Americans who identify as Christians has fallen by 8 points from 78% to 70%. Meanwhile the number of people who identify as atheist, agnostic, or as believing "nothing in particular" has risen almost by half -- from 16% to 22%. The numbers show further that while nearly 86 percent of Americans say they grew up as Christians, nearly one in five say they are not Christians anymore. Alan Cooperman, the director of Pew's religion research, said, "Overall, there are more than four former Christians for every convert to Christianity." In other words, for every nonbeliever who is saved, there are at least four people who once called themselves Christians who have left the faith.

While that last statistic is talking about people who leave the Christian faith permanently, there are many in the church who remain Christians but who sometimes stray from the straight and narrow way. How does this happen? What are the effects of this straying? And how can one return to the straight and narrow way.

A particularly troubling Pew survey came out last week regarding the state of religion in America. According to the survey, which is said to have "big and broad" implications for society going forward, in the past seven years, the number of Americans who identify as Christians has fallen by 8 points from 78% to 70%. Meanwhile the number of people who identify as atheist, agnostic, or as believing "nothing in particular" has risen almost by half -- from 16% to 22%. The numbers show further that while nearly 86 percent of Americans say they grew up as Christians, nearly one in five say they are not Christians anymore. Alan Cooperman, the director of Pew's religion research, said, "Overall, there are more than four former Christians for every convert to Christianity." In other words, for every nonbeliever who is saved, there are at least four people who once called themselves Christians who have left the faith.

While that last statistic is talking about people who leave the Christian faith permanently, there are many in the church who remain Christians but who sometimes stray from the straight and narrow way. How does this happen? What are the effects of this straying? And how can one return to the straight and narrow way.

the Holy Spirit to descend, to fill and thrill the saints of God. It put God’s people to work for God’s glory in the world. Thank God for the ascension."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #169. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 which reads: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Charles Colson. He said, "Ultimately, we await the return of Jesus for the renewal of the world. No politician can raise the dead and cleanse creation of sin’s pollution. While God gives governing powers a substantial function, Jesus’ ascension and promised return chastises utopian dreams that involve governmental solutions. Governing powers impact our world, but they are impotent to remove the veil that has descended upon the nations."

In our eighth message in this series, we began looking at the conclusion of Paul's discussion regarding the mystery of the salvation of the Jews. In verse 26, we read that "all Israel shall be saved." We saw that this salvation will take place at the end of the Tribulation period when Jesus Christ physically returns to earth to set up His Kingdom. Many of the Jews will clearly see that Jesus Christ is the Messiah the entire race of people has been looking for for thousands of years. This Messiah is the 'deliverer out of Zion' who will turn away ungodliness from the house of Jacob, the children of Israel. Following this eye-opening realization, we are told that God will establish a New Covenant with the Jews -- the same covenant He has established with the Gentiles who believe on Him. When this covenant is established, the Jews will not only be the children of Abraham, but they will be united with all Gentile believers under the headship of Jesus Christ.

Speaking again to his Gentile readers, Paul says, "As concerning the gospel, they [the Jews] are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes." What Paul is saying here is that in order for the Gentiles to be brought into the family of God, God is dealing with the Jews as though they are His enemies as a result of their rejection of His Son. (In fact, all sinners who refuse God's mercy and grace are said to be at "enmity" with God.) The Gentile believers could easily see how God would deal with the Jews as His enemies; after all, much of the persecution they suffered as Christians was at the hands of Jews.

However, Paul contrasts this temporary antagonism between God and the Jews with the eternal, immutable promises which God made to the Jewish forefathers. He says, "as touching the election [the election being God's choice of them as His people], they are beloved for the father's sakes." Because God made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He is obligated to bring the children of Israel back into the fold. They are still His beloved -- the apple of His eye -- and He cannot cast them off forever.

Josh Tinley said, "Today we are witnesses of the ascended Christ. We are called to give people hope for an embodied eternity by being the embodied presence of Christ in the world right now."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #168. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from N.T. Wright. He said, "The ascension of Jesus Christ is a central and vital feature of Christian belief. It’s not something we should treat as a strange added extra."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #167. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 1:9 which reads: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Piper. He said, "The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven at God's right hand was an "ascent of joy" because it meant that the greatest possible blessing would come to Jesus and to his people."

C. H. Spurgeon said, "Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #166. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Mark 16:19 which reads: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Calvin. He said, "As the body of Jesus was raised to heaven during the Ascension, so his power and reign have spread to the uttermost parts."

We began looking at this passage on last week by focusing on the action of the parents in these verses. The parents showed their immense respect for Jesus by bringing their children to Him. They brought their young children to Him desiring that He would pray for them and bless them. Through their example, parents are encouraged to not only pray for their children, but to introduce them to the things of God at a young age.

Not only does this passage serve as an encouragement for parents, but we also see a rebuke for Christians in general and an example for the church. While the parents are bringing their children to Jesus, we are told that "the disciples rebuked them." "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The parallel passage in Mark tells us that Jesus "was much displeased" when he saw what was happening. And Luke adds that after the disciples sent some of the children away, Jesus "called them" back.

Why is it that the disciples thought Jesus should not be bothered with little children? Some have speculated that the disciples thought Jesus needed to rest after a long day of ministry. Others have said they simply thought Jesus did not have time to be bothered with little children. They thought they knew better what Jesus needed to spend His time doing. Whatever their intentions, their actions were wrong; Jesus was "displeased" and He rebuked them and said, "let the children come to me."

We began looking at this passage on last week by focusing on the action of the parents in these verses. The parents showed their immense respect for Jesus by bringing their children to Him. They brought their young children to Him desiring that He would pray for them and bless them. Through their example, parents are encouraged to not only pray for their children, but to introduce them to the things of God at a young age.

Not only does this passage serve as an encouragement for parents, but we also see a rebuke for Christians in general and an example for the church. While the parents are bringing their children to Jesus, we are told that "the disciples rebuked them." "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The parallel passage in Mark tells us that Jesus "was much displeased" when he saw what was happening. And Luke adds that after the disciples sent some of the children away, Jesus "called them" back.

Why is it that the disciples thought Jesus should not be bothered with little children? Some have speculated that the disciples thought Jesus needed to rest after a long day of ministry. Others have said they simply thought Jesus did not have time to be bothered with little children. They thought they knew better what Jesus needed to spend His time doing. Whatever their intentions, their actions were wrong; Jesus was "displeased" and He rebuked them and said, "let the children come to me."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #165. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Luke 24:50-53 which reads: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Marcellino D'Ambrosio. He said, "As Jesus ascends, he tells the disciples to wait for divine power. But he does not tell them to wait passively for the rapture. He does not instruct them to pour over Bible prophecies, debating about how and when he will return. In fact in Acts 1:11, after the Lord ascends out of their sight, the angels ask why the disciples just stand there, staring into space. The waiting is not to be a squandering of precious time. It is waiting for a purpose, nine days of prayer, leading to empowerment. Why empowerment? Because they have challenging work to do. Matthew 28: 16-20 says, 'Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.'"

Nancy Leigh Demoss said, "Don’t you love the way that Jesus left? He was blessing His disciples, always thinking of others, loving them, blessing them. He parted from them “while He blessed them.” He was blessing them, and while He was still blessing them, He departed from them and was carried up into heaven. As we read other parts of the Scripture, we realize that He is still blessing those disciples and us from His ascended place in heaven."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #164. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 16:25 which reads: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Joel Van Hoogen. He said, "We are now the people who stand between the appearings of the Shekinah glory of God. In the Old Testament that glorious expression of God's power rumbled over Mt. Sinai. The people were filled with fear. When it came upon the tabernacle and the temple and those ministering within them had to stop their ministrations because of the intense terror of that moment. In the New Testament it shined out over the Shepherds in Bethlehem when the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and you will recall that they were sore (very much) afraid. It will again unfurl over the earth when our King returns in glorious power to judge."

Arlo D. Duba said, "The ascension gives opportunity to stress the second coming of Christ and the glory of the kingdom of heaven. It also stresses that we must at the same time joyfully accept the responsibility of kingdom living here, today. When we catch the vision of the glory of God and the immensity of the gift of God's redemption, we can no longer go on with "life as usual," but we press on in joy."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #163. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Marc Cortez. He said, "The ascension is a powerful reminder of our destiny. Here it’s important to remember that Jesus did not stop being human when he ascended. It’s not as though his humanity was a costume that he put on at Christmas and hastily discarded at the ascension. Jesus represents us as our High Priest forever specifically because he remains one of us forever. So the ascension points to our destiny as humans – ruling over God’s creation and manifesting his glory everywhere."

Ronnie W. Floyd said, "Jesus’ ascension was not merely going to heaven like Enoch and Elijah. It was confirmation of His work and restoration of His glory. It truly was an ascension like no other."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #162. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 11:25 which reads: "I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "After Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples received the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised. This is remembered and celebrated at Pentecost. But they also received another important promise. Just as Jesus ascended into heaven, He will also come back sometime."

Francis Peloubet said, "Jesus went away not only to prepare a place for us but to prepare us for the place."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #161. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Luke 24:50-53 which reads: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Hendrik Kern said, "With the ascent of the Saviour into heaven He has entered upon the real and undisputed possession of His royal reign, in which from this time on He rules over all things that are in heaven and on earth."

C.P. Eldridge said, "When the everlasting gates lifted up their heads, the King of Glory entered in."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #160. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:51 which reads: "And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from J. H. Newman. He said, "Christ is already in that place of peace, which is all in all. He is on the right hand of God. He has entered into His rest."

C. P. Eldridge said, "The life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, all were triumphs."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #159. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Psalm 47:5 which reads: "God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from J. H. Newman. He said, "Christ is already in that place of peace, which is all in all. He is on the right hand of God. He has entered into His rest. That is our home; here we are on a pilgrimage, and Christ calls us to His many mansions which He has prepared."

John MacArthur said, "The ascension ended the time of Jesus' ministry on earth and it ended the limitations that were placed upon Him because of that ministry and He is now restored to full communion, face-to-face with the Father."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #158. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 16:25 which reads: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Hank Hanegraaff. He said, "God often uses physical examples to point to spiritual realities. Thus, the physical fact of Christ’s ascension points to the greater truth that he is now glorified in the presence of God and that our glorification is divinely guaranteed as well."

Perhaps one of the most pressing questions of our day is, What do we do about our children? Parents want their children to be obedient. Teachers want children to be attentive to their studies. The government wants children to grow up to be productive and successful citizens. Whitney Houston sang, "Children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way." Unfortunately, it seems as though children are not being taught that well today. Just recently, this was brought to national attention due to the rioting in Baltimore. Many of the rioters were students from a nearby high school. One mother, who pulled her son out of the rioting, has been praised as "mom of the year" and other parents have been encouraged to follow her example. The question remains: What do we do about our children?

In Matthew 19, we find that Jesus is dealing with some domestic issues; He was not just concerned about spiritual matters, but about people's families and their lives in general. Prompted by a question from the Pharisees, Jesus addresses the topics of marriage, divorce, and adultery. After this discussion, or perhaps as this discussion was going on, the Bible tells us that people begin bringing their children to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray for them. From this simple story, we see three things: (1) An example for parents in particular, (2) A rebuke for Christians in general, and (3) A mission for the church today.

Right now, let's look at the example of the parents who brought their children to Jesus Christ. Matthew Henry notes that, by the parents bringing their children to Jesus Christ, they showed that they had great regard for Him and love for their children. Even if they did not know for sure that He was the Messiah, they at least believed that He was a righteous teacher sent by God, and they wanted Him to pray for and bless their children. As the Bible says, 'the prayer of a righteous man availeth much [or accomplishes much].'

These parents had the mind to bring their children to Christ. Can that be said of parents today? Have we taken our children before the Lord in prayer and asked Him to bless them and use them. I have always seen my children as belonging to the Lord; He has just given them to me for a time to train and raise for His glory. By the grace of God, I have prayed for my children every day since they were born. While we cannot physically bring our children to Jesus today, we can bring them before the throne of God each and every day in prayer.

Someone said, "The Ascension is a sign and symbol of the Second Coming. Christ will return to the earth in the same manner as He left it. When the risen Lord returns again in glory, God's will for mankind will be fulfilled."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #157. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 which reads: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Tommy Lane. He said, "Jesus continues to be present after his ascension but in a new way. Now he is present in the Church. To help the Church continue his mission he pours out his gifts on individuals in the Church. Let us pray that the Church will more and more become what Jesus calls it to be that all may come to find Jesus."

Peter Toon said, "The Ascension of Jesus Christ is the removal of the resurrected body of Jesus from space and time into the immediate presence of God."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #156. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Luke 24:50-53 which reads: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Johan D. Tangelder. He said, "Carried up into heaven, Jesus withdrew his bodily presence from our sight, not to cease to be present with believers still on their earthly pilgrimage, but to rule heaven and earth with more immediate power... As his body was raised up above the heavens, so his power and energy were diffused and spread beyond all the bounds of heaven and earth."

She is the owner, founder and lead designer of Magnolia Homes, a remodeling and design business in Waco, Texas. Magnolia Homes is a creative compilation of construction with a heavy emphasis on quality and unique design. She, along with her husband, are the hosts of the HGTV show "Fixer Upper." "Fixer Upper" shows the process by which they turn dilapidated but potential-rich houses into showplaces that are helping revitalize whole neighborhoods throughout central Texas. She graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Communications. Her passion is to create inspiring spaces that encourage others to do the same thing in their own homes.

In an interview with Charisma News, she spoke of how God spoke to her and how she has learned to trust His plan for her life. She said, "I heard God say very clearly... he said, 'Joanna if you trust me with your dreams, I'm going to take Magnolia (a boutique she owned) further than you ever dreamed.' I look back and I go, 'God, your promise that you spoke years ago, I'm now seeing. I trusted you with my dream and you took it far beyond what I ever could have dreamed or imagined.'" She continued, "I really believe that God has a purpose for me. But he also has a purpose for you and on the other side of that is the enemy where he knows where to hit. Let God speak in your life. Let his father heart come and say, 'this is what I have for you.' And I think that’s the key -- not believing the lies, fixing our eyes on Jesus and walking in that truth."

Allow me to share with you a brief story told by W. Somerset Maugham. The speaker is Death.

There was a merchant in Baghdad who sent his servant to market to buy provisions and in a little while the servant came back, white and trembling, and said, "Master, just now when I was in the marketplace I was jostled by a woman in the crowd, and when I turned I saw it was Death that jostled me. She looked at me and made a threatening gesture. Now, lend me your horse, and I will ride away from this city and avoid my fate. I will go to Samarra and there Death will not find me." The merchant lent him his horse, and the servant mounted it, and he dug his spurs in its flanks and as fast as the horse could gallop he went. Then the merchant went down to the marketplace and he saw me standing in the crowd and he came to me and said, "Why did you make a threatening gesture to my servant when you saw him this morning?" "That was not a threatening gesture," I said, "it was only a start of surprise. I was astonished to see him in Baghdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra."

This little story brilliantly illustrates the inevitability of death. No matter how we try to run from it, delay it, and avoid it, we will eventually be faced with it. In fact, the day of your death is already set. God knows it, but you do not. When that day comes, you will die whether you like it or not. The Bible says, "It is appointed unto men once to die…" Ecclesiastes 3:2 says there is "a time to be born, and a time to die." Second Samuel 14:14 says, "For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again..."

Look all around you. People are dying: some from natural causes, some as casualties of war, and some from the effects of sickness and disease. Look at the history of your family and you will see that a long line of people related to you have passed beyond death’s door.

J. Oswald Sanders said, "It is a matter of surprise that so small a body of literature centers on this amazing and important event, [the ascension of Jesus], especially as it has such far-reaching implications for the Christian."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #155. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Mark 16:19 which reads: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Calvin. He said, "When Christ returned to heaven, he withdrew his physical presence from our sight. He didn't stop being with the disciples but by the ascension fulfilled his promise to be with us to the end of the world. As his body was raised to heaven, so his power and reign have spread to the uttermost parts."

Romans 6:6: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."

In our last lesson, we began addressing the topic of Self. Because man is sinful, he is naturally self-centered. The devil influences man to make Self the master of his life. This fleshly self-centeredness manifests itself in many ways, including: Self-love, Self-pride, Self-pity, Self-seeking, Self-righteousness, Self-justification, Self-consciousness, and Self-will.

Now we come to a very important question. How can we be delivered from the rule of Self? First, let us see what God did about our self-life. Because our self-life was so hateful to God, He crucified us with Christ.

How can we be crucified with Christ? Consider this illustration: Let's take a piece of paper and cut out a little man, and then take the little paper man and put him in a book. The little man is now in the book. Suppose we place the book on a table. Where is the little man? He is also on the table because he is in the book. Suppose we put the book on the floor. Where is the little man now? He is on the floor. Suppose we place the book on top of a piano. Where is the little man now? He is on the piano.

When God saved us He put us in Christ on the cross. What happened to Christ happened also to us because we were in Christ. When He was crucified, we were crucified with Him; when He died, we died with Him, and when He rose again, we rose again with Him. The Apostle Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ." What was true of the Apostle Paul is true of every Christian. Christ died for us, and we died with Him.

So far, from this passage, we have looked at the example of Noah -- a wise man who lived in perilous times, as well as the example of Lot -- a worldly man who lived in perilous times. The days of Noah and Lot are much like our own. Even as negative events, disasters, wars, crime, and sinfulness are on the rise, most people are just going about their day-to-day activity with no thought of God's judgment and no thought of the impact of sin on society.

We saw in Noah's example a man who feared God, obeyed God, led his family to obey God, and faithfully preached righteousness in his generation. However, we saw in Lot, a man who loved wealth and power far too much. Even though he was a saved man, he compromised his beliefs, did not lead his family to obey God, lost any Godly reputation that he may have had, and did not speak against the sins of his day. In our day, we are challenged to follow Noah's example, not only as examples of righteousness, but as preachers of righteousness as well.

Today, we turn our attention to the third person Jesus highlights in this passage: "Remember Lot's wife." What did Jesus mean by that expression? What does this woman who lived thousands of years ago have to do with people who are likely witnessing the last days? Why did Jesus relate what happened to this woman to the disciples and to our day?

As you recall, in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, the pillar of salt which Lot's wife had been turned into was on the straight and narrow road to the Celestial City as a warning to Christian pilgrims. The pillar of salt was set up across from a side road that led to silver mines. A man named Demas and his companions dug for silver in these mines and tried to entice pilgrims to leave their journey in pursuit of riches. Bunyan tells us that as Christian and Hopeful view this statue, Hopeful says, "We should allow her to be both a warning and an example. As a warning, we should shun her sin, since her judgment indicates what will befall us if this wayside monument does not restrain us.... This woman merely looked behind her; we do not read that she stepped so much as one step out of the way, nevertheless she was turned into a pillar of salt."

Therein lies the sin of Lot's wife. She looked back. Genesis 19:17 tells us that the angels told Lot, his wife, and their two daughters, "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." A few verses later we read, "Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."

Why did Lot's wife look back? She loved material things, wealth, pleasure, and the easy life just as much as her husband did. She probably couldn't bear to see the place she called home for years just go up in flames. Even though she knew what was right -- she knew the sinfulness of Sodom, and she knew that its judgment was deserved -- she looked back longingly, just wanting to take one more glimpse at the life she loved.

In today's reading from Romans 11, Paul begins to draw his argument on the matter of Israel's salvation to a conclusion. In our last message, we took a closer look at how the Christian faith rests on the foundation of the faith of the Jewish patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whom God made special covenants with. Paul seems to take great pains to make ensure that his Gentile readers do not become boastful over their status as Christians and the benefits they have from being in the body of Christ.

Paul calls the plan of God for the salvation of the Israelites a "mystery." Dr. Walvoord and Dr. Zuck state in their commentary that "in Scripture a mystery is not a truth difficult to understand, but a truth previously unrevealed (and therefore unknown) which is now revealed and publicly proclaimed." So, Paul is making the eventual salvation of the Jews a matter of public knowledge. God's plan for them is being put out in the open. Paul's desire for us to be knowledgeable about this mystery is so that we will not become wise in ourselves -- that is conceited or proud. God has simply turned his attention to the Gentiles for a time, and one day, He will turn his attention back to the Jews.

Dr. Walvoord and Dr. Zuck state, "God purposed that some from all nations should by faith receive the righteousness provided by grace. In order to achieve this goal, Israel's relationship as God's Chosen People was rescinded for a time and Israel is now experiencing a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. There is a fullness for Israel and a fullness for the Gentiles. God is now 'taking from the Gentiles a people for Himself.'"

Paul begins his conclusion of this discourse with these words: "And so all Israel shall be saved." What does he mean by "all Israel"? Does he mean every single Jewish person will eventually accept salvation through Christ? Probably not. As we have seen before, he at least means that a mass number of Jews will be saved. F.F. Bruce states, "'All Israel' is a recurring expression in Jewish literature, where it need not mean 'every Jew without a single exception', but 'Israel as a whole.'" Often, we speak of America as a "Christian nation." Last month, the British Prime Minister called Great Britain a 'Christian nation.' Of course, when we use this terminology, we do not mean that every individual in the United States or in the United Kingdom is a Christian, but that many people are. We also mean that Christianity influences and permeates society. David Guzik states that the words "all Israel" mean that the nation as a whole will embrace Jesus Christ as the Messiah -- especially its leaders. It was the Jewish religious leaders who persuaded the people to demand that Jesus be crucified. When Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist, the leaders of the nation of Israel will be eager to embrace Him.

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #154. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Psalm 68:18 which reads: "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from R.C. Sproul. He said, "Today, Jesus is in heaven, interceding for you and me, if indeed we belong to Him, and His prayers for us are equally effective. We should rejoice that He has taken up this priestly ministry on our behalf in the heavenly tabernacle."

C. H. Spurgeon said, "Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #153. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 11:25 which reads: "I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Calvin. He said, "When Christ returned to heaven, He withdrew His physical presence from our sight. He didn’t stop being with the disciples but by the ascension fulfilled His promise to be with us to the end of the world. As His body was raised to heaven, so His power and reign have spread to the uttermost parts."

Paxson Jeancake said, "The life of Christ is summed up in his birth and his ascension."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #152. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from from Thomas Arnold. He said, "Our first impressions are to consider the Ascension of our Lord as the very greatest event connected with His appearance on earth."

Maltbie Babcock said, "The ascension, the passing of Christ within the veil, answers the need for us to worship."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #151. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 1:9 which reads: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from from John Flavel said, "He is taken up, that He may fulfill His design in dying, and give the work of our salvation its last completing act."

As we have progressed through this story of a father who comes to Jesus for the deliverance of his son from a Satanic stronghold in his life, we have learned four things we must do which lay the groundwork for such deliverance. Those things are: (1) We must have a desire to overcome our strongholds; (2) We must recognize that Jesus alone has power and authority over our strongholds; (3) We must admit to God that we are in trouble; and (4) We must admit to God that what we have tried to do is not working, and we must bring our strongholds to Him if we want to see them removed.

On last week, we saw that Jesus rebuked His disciples and the people for their lack of faith and their wrong mindset about deliverance from strongholds. Of course, Jesus easily healed the epileptic boy and cast the evil spirit out of him. The thing He did not like about the situation was that evidently the people doubted that it could be done. He said that they were faithless and perverse.

Now, when the healed boy had been given to his father, the disciples came to Jesus alone and asked Him, "Why could not we cast him out?" Obviously, this was very troubling to them. Jesus answers them by saying, "Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Learning the value of having faith in God was crucially important for the disciples and it is crucially important for us today. Often, we will face seemingly hopeless situations. We will face strongholds that appear too strong to be torn down. However, if we have faith in God, and if what we desire to accomplish is in God's will, then even a small faith the size of a mustard seed can produce big results.

Edward Root said, "Christ 'ascended,' not to depart from earth, but to take the throne of His Kingdom on earth."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #150. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:51 which reads: "And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from from an Unknown Author. He said, "The Ascension of Jesus Christ marked a stage in His revelation, but it only brought Him nearer to us."

William Temple said, "The ascension of Christ is his liberation from all restrictions of time and space. It does not represent his removal from the earth, but his constant presence everywhere on earth."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #149. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 20:16-17 which reads: "Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Matthew Henry. He said, "The disciples were earnest in asking about that which their Master never had directed or encouraged them to seek. Our Lord knew that his ascension and the teaching of the Holy Spirit would soon end these expectations, and therefore only gave them a rebuke; but it is a caution to his church in all ages, to take heed of a desire of forbidden knowledge. He had given his disciples instructions for the discharge of their duty, both before his death and since his resurrection, and this knowledge is enough for a Christian. It is enough that He has engaged to give believers strength equal to their trials and services; that under the influence of the Holy Spirit they may, in one way or other, be witnesses for Christ on earth, while in heaven he manages their concerns with perfect wisdom, truth, and love. When we stand gazing and trifling, the thoughts of our Master's second coming should quicken and awaken us: when we stand gazing and trembling, they should comfort and encourage us. May our expectation of it be stedfast and joyful, giving diligence to be found of him blameless."

She is a professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA. She played college basketball at the University of Virginia and was named the ACC Rookie of the Year. As a senior, she was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and National Defensive Player of the Year. She was also selected as a member of the USA Women's U19 team which won the gold medal at the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship in Slovakia. She has won two WNBA championship titles in 2011 and 2013.

In an interview with CBN, she talked about her faith in Jesus Christ. As a new college student at UVA, she was focused on playing basketball and making good grades. She said of that time, "I'm a basketball player, so I need to play basketball and do well on the court; I need to make good grades so that I can stay eligible. There was no time to try to figure out who I was because who I was, was a student-athlete at that time." Besides playing and studying, she also partied and by the time she arrived at her senior year, she began to feel that something was missing in her life. She said, "Once you come to your end you want to make sure that there was probably a little bit more purpose to your journey. You want to look back and see, 'what did I do? What was my legacy?' I felt like maybe I should be doing something more constructive. There was something missing."

Around that time, she began to notice the difference in the lives of other Christian athletes. She said, "There was something I desired they had, and I wanted to know what it was but I never went up to them and asked them. Maybe it was something I was afraid of or insecure about so God came up to me." After meeting a local pastor on a bus ride one day, she began studying the Bible with his wife on a regular basis. She said, "At first I was trying to find fault with her and see where I could catch her in a contradiction. At the time I was taking a German philosophy class where I learned about Martin Luther and his works. Both the class and the pastor's wife challenged my thinking. I'm reading these books (95 Thesis) and studying with this lady about the Bible, the solidity of the Bible, and what the Bible is and how true it is and how can we be sure. She really wanted me to search it out for myself and read who canonized the Bible, the Council of Nicea, what happened? When people were deciding what books to put in the Bible; what books were left out? Why were they left out?"

The more she studied, the more God began to work in her life and she started making some changes. She said, "I just stopped cold turkey stopped doing some of the things I was doing; drinking, going out, partying, dressing in a certain way. My language changed altogether. My attitude changed about my teammates and basketball changed altogether." After further Bible study, she began to realize that she needed more than just knowledge. She said, "Okay, I'm over this. I've looked and studied and read everything there is to read, bottom line is me as a person I'm not who I want to be. I've read scripture upon scripture about how I can change my everyday life. I've done it, I've put it into action. Overall I can't be who I need to be without Christ."

After a while, she went to a small church and gave her heart to Jesus Christ. After she was baptized, she said, "I had people there who knew me as well but didn't know I was studying the Bible and they were like, 'wow, is this the Monica we know?' And it was awesome, I went into the tub they dunked me in and it was just great. I never cry—and I never, ever cry in public—but that day I bawled. I let it out in front of the whole church. I couldn't contain it." SIx weeks later in April 2010, her lifelong dream of playing in the WNBA came true as she was selected by the Minnesota Lynx as the second overall pick.

She said, "God has spoken to my heart and said this is a pause in preparation for more that I have plann

A few weeks ago, Jon Stewart, who has hosted the popular Daily Show on Comedy Central for the past 16 years, announced that he was stepping down. In a recent interview with the Guardian, he revealed his reason why. He said, "It's not like I thought the show wasn’t working any more, or that I didn’t know how to do it. It was more, 'Yup, it’s working. But I’m not getting the same satisfaction.’" He went on to say that in his type of work, "You have moments of dissatisfaction, and then you come out of it and it’s OK. But the cycles [of dissatisfaction] become longer and maybe more entrenched."

Stewart also commented on the 24-hour news cycle saying, "Watching these channels all day is incredibly depressing. I live in a constant state of depression."

Jon Stewart's reasoning is not foreign to the vast majority of people today. Many -- including some of the most wealthy, most famous, and most successful individuals -- will admit that they experience dissatisfaction with their jobs, their home life, their families, or their lack of success. Many of us will also readily agree that the constant stream of (mostly) negative news about what is happening in the world can indeed be depressing.

The truth of the matter is: true satisfaction cannot be found in our jobs, in other people, or even in engaging in activities that are fun and entertaining. All of these are temporal and there will eventually come a time when they fail to fulfill what we desire for them to fulfill in our lives. You cannot find complete peace or satisfaction through your accomplishments or even through things that you find pleasurable and enjoyable.That will only come when you give your life to Jesus Christ. Many accomplished and successful people have stated that their greatest satisfaction comes in life from knowing Jesus Christ as their Savior and being loved unconditionally by God.

God wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to fill the empty place in your heart that you have sought so long to fill. He will do this today if you accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Saviour. When you become a follower of Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us that Christ comes to live inside of us. With Christ living inside of you, you will have the peace, love, joy, happiness, and fulfillment that you desire. On top of that, you will have eternal life, and you will go to Heaven to be with God after you die.

Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Are you willing to make the simple decision to trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour today? If so, allow me to show you how.

Fred Craddock said, "Jesus is gone, but the power of the Spirit is present in the church and where the power of the Spirit is, there is no need."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #148. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 1:8-9 which reads: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Michael Morrison. He said, "When Jesus ascended bodily into heaven, he was giving a visible sign that he continues to be human as well as divine. That gives us assurance that he is a high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, as it says in Hebrews. So the visible rising into heaven makes this point: that Jesus didn't just go away — he continues his ministry in a different way, as our high priest, our intercessor, our mediator."

Romans 8:7: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."

Lucifer was the wisest and most beautiful angel ever created, but sin changed him into Satan, the enemy of God and the enemy of man. Sin separated Adam and Eve from their loving Creator. And sin turned men who were created in the image of God into slaves of sin and Satan.

Because He hates sin so much, God wants us to be delivered from its power. In our last lesson we learned that, in Christ, we have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness. Sin has no right to reign over us, because we are no longer in the kingdom where sin reigns.

But sin has many ways of keeping us in its power and one of these is through "the flesh." The flesh is our sinful human nature. It is what we are apart from God. One form of the flesh is Self. What does it mean to have Self on the throne of our heart? It means that we are self-centered, and that we want to have our own way.

Last week, we began looking at the somewhat surprising words from Jesus Christ which shed light on the condition of the world in the end times. These words are surprising to us because, often, we focus on the terrible signs of the times -- such as an increase in war, violence, disasters, disease, and sin. But, Jesus informs us that in the midst of all that, many people will be going about their daily lives as though nothing is out of the ordinary.

Jesus parallels this condition with two examples out of the Old Testament -- the days of Noah and Lot. We looked at Noah as an example of a wise man living in perilous times. Noah was obedient to God and he led his family to be obedient to God. On top of that, he was a faithful witness to his generation, warning them of the judgment that God had promised to send because of their disobedience.

Today, we are going to look at the example of another man living in similar times. This man is Lot, the nephew of the Hebrew patriarch Abraham. Jesus says, "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all." Just as in Noah's day,Just as in Lots day, and just as in our day, people are continuing on in their daily routines while sin and immorality is on the rise and while the condition of the world is rapidly deteriorating. J.A. Martin says, "the materialistic, indifferent people of Sodom (eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building) were not prepared for God’s judgment. They were living in sin, oblivious to God. Therefore they were destroyed."

People in our day have claimed that God is dead, that he is just a phantom made up by feeble minds, or that he is just a figment used by religious institutions to control the masses. Secularists and atheists are trying to erase any mention of God from government and public society. Many today are like the people of Lot's day -- oblivious to God. And when judgment comes, they will be surprised, and it will be too late for them to do anything about it.

Some scholars have pointed out that marriage is not mentioned in Jesus' description of the conditions of Lot's day as a normal part of life that people were engaged in. Perhaps, this is a reflection of the spirit of the times. Perhaps, people in Sodom and Gomorrah were so far gone that they no longer had respect for the institution of marriage. If so, it is a striking parallel to the conditions of our day -- increased divorces, many young people choosing to delay marriage, cohabitation, and on top of that, homosexuality and homosexual marriage.

In the midst of these conditions, we find the man Lot, his wife, and his family. From what Scripture tells us, he had four or more daughters. We are introduced to Lot in Genesis 12:4-5, "So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came."

Last week, we began looking at the somewhat surprising words from Jesus Christ which shed light on the condition of the world in the end times. These words are surprising to us because, often, we focus on the terrible signs of the times -- such as an increase in war, violence, disasters, disease, and sin. But, Jesus informs us that in the midst of all that, many people will be going about their daily lives as though nothing is out of the ordinary.

Jesus parallels this condition with two examples out of the Old Testament -- the days of Noah and Lot. We looked at Noah as an example of a wise man living in perilous times. Noah was obedient to God and he led his family to be obedient to God. On top of that, he was a faithful witness to his generation, warning them of the judgment that God had promised to send because of their disobedience.

Today, we are going to look at the example of another man living in similar times. This man is Lot, the nephew of the Hebrew patriarch Abraham. Jesus says, "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all." Just as in Noah's day,Just as in Lots day, and just as in our day, people are continuing on in their daily routines while sin and immorality is on the rise and while the condition of the world is rapidly deteriorating. J.A. Martin says, "the materialistic, indifferent people of Sodom (eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building) were not prepared for God’s judgment. They were living in sin, oblivious to God. Therefore they were destroyed."

People in our day have claimed that God is dead, that he is just a phantom made up by feeble minds, or that he is just a figment used by religious institutions to control the masses. Secularists and atheists are trying to erase any mention of God from government and public society. Many today are like the people of Lot's day -- oblivious to God. And when judgment comes, they will be surprised, and it will be too late for them to do anything about it.

Some scholars have pointed out that marriage is not mentioned in Jesus' description of the conditions of Lot's day as a normal part of life that people were engaged in. Perhaps, this is a reflection of the spirit of the times. Perhaps, people in Sodom and Gomorrah were so far gone that they no longer had respect for the institution of marriage. If so, it is a striking parallel to the conditions of our day -- increased divorces, many young people choosing to delay marriage, cohabitation, and on top of that, homosexuality and homosexual marriage.

In the midst of these conditions, we find the man Lot, his wife, and his family. From what Scripture tells us, he had four or more daughters. We are introduced to Lot in Genesis 12:4-5, "So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came."

As we continue our journey through Romans 11, we talked about Paul's position as an apostle to the Gentiles and about his desire for the Jews to emulate the Gentiles and accept Christ as their Savior. Paul took a Godly pride in his ministry of leading people to Christ, and his desire is for the Jews to be a part of that ministry. We also looked at the biblical teaching that the salvation of the Jews will come about as a massive ingathering during the last days.

The Bible tells us that after the Rapture, the Antichrist will make a deal with the nation of Israel marking the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation period. Arnold Fruchtenbaum writes, "The last seven years, or the Tribulation, will begin when Israel and 'the prince who is to come,' the Antichrist, sign a seven-year covenant. Although the agreement is for the covenant to last for seven years, it will be broken at the halfway point... The Jewish people will enter the covenant with Antichrist for security from further military invasions… [But] the covenant will be broken and desolations will fall upon the Jewish people." As part of this covenant, the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. After three-and-a-half years, the Antichrist will sit on a throne in this Temple, declare himself to be God, and demand that all the world worship him. This, of course, will enrage the Jewish people. When they refuse to worship him, the antichrist, driven by Satan, will turn his wrath on the Jewish people. This is why the latter half of the Tribulation is known as the 'time of Jacob's trouble.' During this time, the Jews will realize that the Antichrist is not their savior, and many will turn to Jesus Christ for salvation.

This is the mass conversion that Paul speaks to in Romans 11:15. He says it will be so dramatic that it will be almost as though the Jews are resurrected from the dead.

Paul continues his discussion, likening the Jew-Gentile scenario to an olive tree. In verse 17, he says, "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree." We must keep in mind here that Paul is not speaking of the standing of individual believers, but of God's plan for Israel as a whole. Warren Wiersbe states, "The roots of the tree support the tree; again, this was a symbol of the patriarchs who founded the nation. God made His covenants with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He cannot deny them or change them. Thus, it is God's promise to Abraham that sustains Israel even today."

Kevin Miller said, "When Christ ascended to heaven he opened the door for us to experience his power anytime and anywhere."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #147. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Philippians 2:8-11 which reads: "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Wil Pounds. He said, "The Ascension of Christ is the consummation and the culminating point of Christ's redemptive work and the exaltation and glory after His saving work on earth had been accomplished."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss said, "What an incredible gift that Jesus ascended to heaven and sent His Holy Spirit to us, and that means that the life, the heart, the character of Christ indwells every believer here on this earth!"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #146. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Mark 16:19 which reads: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Oswald Sanders. He said, "The redemptive work of Christ rests on four pillars—incarnation [when He came to earth as a babe], crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The ascension was a complete and final demonstration that His atonement had forever solved the problem created by man’s sin and rebellion."

C.H. Spurgeon said, "The ascension of our Lord will remind us of heaven, and teach us the holiness which is our preparation for it."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #145. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Luke 24:50-53 which reads: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Wil Pounds. He said, "When Jesus ascended into heaven He did not go to some distant planet in space. Heaven is not several billion light-years away. Instead, Jesus simply stepped into a different dimension of existence. There is an invisible spiritual kingdom which surrounds us on every side. Jesus is not far away, and neither is the throne of God and the greatness of His power. He is right here with us right now. The invisible spiritual life is imparted to us by the Holy Spirit who came as a result of Christ leaving this earth. Because Jesus ascended into heaven you and I can have all of Him right now."

Keith Whitfield said, "The ascension of Jesus produced joy because the disciples realized what amazing benefits would come to them when Jesus returned to the Father."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #144. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 7:33 which reads: "Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Wayne Jackson. He said, "The ascension of Christ underscores the fact that Christians are charged with the responsibility of implementing his will on earth, as he reigns from heaven.The Teacher’s parting words commissioned his people to make disciples of every creature among the nations throughout the earth."

On last week, we focused on what we can learn from the father in this passage on how to overcome strongholds in our lives through prayer and fasting. A stronghold is a mindset or a sin habit that the devil uses to keep us from being all that we can be for God's glory. We see from the father's example in this passage that: (1) We must have a desire to overcome our strongholds; (2) We must recognize that Jesus alone has power and authority over our strongholds; (3) We must admit to God that we are in trouble; and (4) We must admit to God that what we have tried to do is not working, and we must bring our strongholds to Him if we want to see them removed. The primary way to do all of this is through prayer to God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Back in this passage, we find a father in desperate need of healing and deliverance for his son who has epilepsy and is influenced by demons. After he explains his situation to Jesus and tells of how the disciples could not cure him nor cast out the demon, Jesus says, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me."

As usual, there is a crowd standing around expecting to see Jesus work a miracle. Imagine their surprise when Jesus instead refers to all of them -- the disciples and the father included -- as part of a "faithless and perverse generation." One commentator states that Jesus "castigates" the crowd. Jesus has two problems with the people of His day -- and, in some cases, they are the same problems that He has with people today.

John Piper said, "The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven at God's right hand was an "ascent of joy" because it meant that the greatest possible blessing would come to Jesus and to his people. The benefits of this separation promised to be so great that the disciples' grief was turned to continual joy. And very likely Jesus was taken up in the midst of his blessing in order to leave the inescapable impression that his leaving was a blessing."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #143. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 1:9 which reads: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Brian Tabb. He said, "Though often overlooked, the ascension completes Jesus’s earthly mission and signifies his enthronement as heavenly king. Jesus has completed his Father’s mission and he now rules with all authority and intercedes with all sympathy as our mediator and high priest."

William Wordsworth said,
"See, the Conqueror mounts in triumph,
See the King in royal state,
Riding on the clouds His chariot
To His heavenly palace-gate;
Hark, the choirs of angel voices
Joyful hallelujahs sing,
And the portals high are lifted,
To receive their heavenly King."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #142. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:51 which reads: "And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from R. S. Barrett. He said, "In public, in the daylight, on holy Olivet, the Lord finished with glory the career which He began in obscurity. He finished His earthly career, but not His human life. His ascension perpetuated His incarnation. He did not evacuate His human body, but carried it with Him to the right hand of God—with its nail prints and its thorn scars. Touched with a feeling of our infirmities, our great High-priest has passed into the heavens. There He ever liveth to make intercession for us. With His pierced hands He is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him."

He is a professional basketball player who currently plays the point guard position for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA. He played college basketball at Wake Forest University. He was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets and played there from 2005 to 2011 before joining the Clippers. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2006 and an Olympic gold medal with USA Men's basketball team in 2008 and 2012. He also led the NBA in assists four times and steals six times from 2008 to 2015. He has also been selected to eight NBA All-Star teams, six All-NBA teams, and six All-Defensive teams. Since 2013, he has served as the National Basketball Players Association president.

He said of his faith: "I am a Christian. I grew up in the church and still go to church every Sunday if we don't have practice. It's always something that my parents instilled in me. I've grown to be pretty devout in my faith. I am so thankful that my parents raised me and my brother, C.J. to depend on God's guidance and our faith in Him, and to always be thankful for what we receive. As I went through the past year, I just kept trying to have fun, knowing that I was playing basketball at the highest level, and remain humble, keeping in mind that all this [I have received] could be taken away from me as fast as it was happening."

We live in a world that is temporary. The events of each day remind us that we are living on borrowed time -- that at any moment everything we know could come to a screeching halt. Every day, lives are cut short by illness, car accidents, and criminal activity. Each hour serves as a reminder that we ought to be grateful for every breath we take. The Bible says, life is just "a vapor that appeareth for a little while and then passeth away."

Recent news reports out of the Middle East have revealed that the extremist militant group known as the Islamic State or ISIS has been destroying ancient artifacts and historical sites from the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. These two great kingdoms were world powers in their day, yet their cities lie in ruins, and, today, even the remains of those cities are being crushed and destroyed.

Scientists warn that people are using up Earth’s resources far too fast. They predict that, in the future, wars will be fought over access to dwindling water supplies. Coal and fossil fuels which are the source of electricity for the majority of the world’s population they also claim is running out. On top of that, many believe that climate change, spurred on by man-made pollution, is slowly transforming the Earth’s atmosphere and could one day radically transform land masses.

The one common denominator of our world and of human existence seems to be the fact that everything fades away in the end. Kingdoms fall. Buildings decay. Species become extinct. And, perhaps the most troubling aspect of all is that people die.

Despite evidence that seems to point to the contrary, death is unnatural. The cessation of a human life at any age was never meant to be. The reality is: we are eternal souls meant to live and enjoy a never-ending relationship with an eternal God. Death was not a part of the Creator's original plan for you and me.

You may think that when you die, that will be the end of everything for you -- you will simply cease to exist. But that is not the case. When your body dies, your spirit will separate from it and continue to live throughout eternity in one of two eternal locations -- Heaven or Hell. Heaven and Hell are just as real as the city you live in. And your invisible soul is just as real as the physical body it is held in right now. In fact, it is your soul that is hearing me speak right now or reading these words right now, not your body.

Hendrik Kern said, "With the ascent of the Saviour into heaven, from which this anniversary day receives its name, He has entered upon the real and undisputed possession of His royal reign, in which from this time on He rules over all things that are in heaven and on earth."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #141. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Psalm 68:18 which reads: "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Thomas Arnold. He said, "Our first impressions are to consider the Ascension of our Lord as the very greatest event connected with His appearance on earth. To our own mind, undoubtedly, nothing could be so solemn, so exalting, as the changing this life for another; the putting off mortality and putting on immortality; and all this we connect with the thought of the removal from earth to heaven."

Romans 6:1-2: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

In our last lesson we began talking about sin in the life of the Christian. We reviewed how we were born into Adam’s sinful race under the influence of the kingdom of darkness, and how that through the death and resurrection of Christ we were born again into the family of God and have been placed in the kingdom of light..

When Christ passed out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light, He took us with Him! Where did God put us in Christ? He put us in Christ on the cross! When He was crucified, we were crucified with Him. When He died, we died with Him. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ..." Not only did Christ die for us, but we died with Him.

What happened when we died with Christ? We passed out of the kingdom of darkness where sin reigns. Not only did we die with Christ, but we were buried with Him, and we were raised again with Him. The Bible says that God "made us alive together with Christ."

What happened when we rose with Christ? We rose in a new kingdom -- the kingdom of God's dear Son. By our death, burial, and resurrection with Christ, we have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and placed in the kingdom of God's dear Son. Colossians 1:12-13 says, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”

What does this mean to us? It means that in Christ we have been delivered from sin's authority. When we were in the kingdom of darkness, sin could command us and we had to obey. But now we have been delivered from the kingdom where sin reigns.

It is often said among Christians -- and even non-Christians -- that we are living in the last days. Numerous wars, increased violence and criminal activity, and devastating natural disasters are often pointed to as evidence that we are near the end of days. But, in Luke 17, Jesus presents what is perhaps a surprising marker of the end times. It is not more natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars, or cataclysmic and earthshaking events. Rather, He gives us signs of normalcy. He compares the last days to the days of Noah and Lot -- days when things will seemingly continue as they have always continued. People will be eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting, and building. Warren Wiersbe states that "in both examples, the people of the world were caught unprepared as they engaged in their everyday activities."

As we consider Jesus' words, we see an example of a wise man, an example of a worldly man, and a warning for all believers. This warning is depicted in the classic tale called Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. The story reads:

Now I saw that the pilgrims came to a place where an old monument stood, right next to the highway. At the sight of this they were both concerned because of the strangeness of its shape, for it seemed to them as if it had been a woman who was transformed into a pillar. Therefore they stood intently looking at it, but for a time they did not know what to conclude.

Eventually Hopeful noticed an inscription on the head, though in an unusual style of writing; so being no scholar, he called upon Christian, on account of his learning, to see if he could interpret the meaning. So after some study of the letters, he found the meaning to be this, "Remember Lot's wife." Then he read it to his companion, and after this they both concluded that it was the pillar of salt into which Lot's wife had been turned; this happened when, fleeing from Sodom for safety, she looked back with a covetous heart.

Those words -- "remember Lot's wife" -- are a direct quotation from Jesus Christ. Although Jesus' words are preceded by a question from the Pharisees about the coming of the Kingdom of God, these words are spoken to His disciples indicating that it has implications for believers as well. Before we get to Jesus' warning -- remember Lot's wife -- let's look at the example of the wise man.

It is often said among Christians -- and even non-Christians -- that we are living in the last days. Numerous wars, increased violence and criminal activity, and devastating natural disasters are often pointed to as evidence that we are near the end of days. But, in Luke 17, Jesus presents what is perhaps a surprising marker of the end times. It is not more natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars, or cataclysmic and earthshaking events. Rather, He gives us signs of normalcy. He compares the last days to the days of Noah and Lot -- days when things will seemingly continue as they have always continued. People will be eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting, and building. Warren Wiersbe states that "in both examples, the people of the world were caught unprepared as they engaged in their everyday activities."

As we consider Jesus' words, we see an example of a wise man, an example of a worldly man, and a warning for all believers. This warning is depicted in the classic tale called Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. The story reads:

Now I saw that the pilgrims came to a place where an old monument stood, right next to the highway. At the sight of this they were both concerned because of the strangeness of its shape, for it seemed to them as if it had been a woman who was transformed into a pillar. Therefore they stood intently looking at it, but for a time they did not know what to conclude.

Eventually Hopeful noticed an inscription on the head, though in an unusual style of writing; so being no scholar, he called upon Christian, on account of his learning, to see if he could interpret the meaning. So after some study of the letters, he found the meaning to be this, "Remember Lot's wife." Then he read it to his companion, and after this they both concluded that it was the pillar of salt into which Lot's wife had been turned; this happened when, fleeing from Sodom for safety, she looked back with a covetous heart.

Those words -- "remember Lot's wife" -- are a direct quotation from Jesus Christ. Although Jesus' words are preceded by a question from the Pharisees about the coming of the Kingdom of God, these words are spoken to His disciples indicating that it has implications for believers as well. Before we get to Jesus' warning -- remember Lot's wife -- let's look at the example of the wise man.

C. P. Eldridge said, "Here was a magnificent triumph over the law of gravitation. Here was the royal ascent by which our Solomon went up to the house of the Lord. The everlasting gates lifted up their heads and the King of Glory entered in. It was all of a piece—His life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, all were triumphs."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #140. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Psalm 47:5 which reads: "God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from W. Pulsford. He said, "When we see the only-begotten Son, clothed in a body like our own, exalted above all the heavens, in that sight we have before us the all-glorious and controlling center of all the spheres, the key which interprets the testimony of prophecy, the gathered first fruits of a new and redeemed world."

In our last message in this series, we talked about how that by the Gentiles getting saved, the Jews will be 'provoked to jealousy,' and will desire salvation through Jesus Christ themselves. Paul also informs us that since "salvation is of the Jews" and the Gentiles benefit greatly from that salvation, when the Jews come around to accepting Christ, they will benefit all the more.

As we pick up where we left off, in verses 13 and 14, Paul says, "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them." By calling himself the "apostle of the Gentiles," Paul emphasizes his special calling to take the Gospel to those who are not Jews. The Greek word for "magnify" means to make glorious, to clothe in splendour, to honour, to extol, or celebrate. Paul takes pride in his calling to minister to the Gentiles, and one of the reasons why is because he knows he can "provoke to emulation" his own people -- the Jews. He wants the Jews to "emulate" or imitate the Gentiles in their acceptance of Jesus Christ.

Ben Witherington and Darlene Hyatt state, "Paul honors and glories in this ministry because it is an honor to lead people to Christ, and he hopes it will even have some good effect on his Jewish kin. Paul sees his mission to Gentiles as indirectly a mission to Jews as well. Even the Apostle to the Gentiles took seriously the gospel priority of ‘to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile,' though his focus was on Gentiles."

In the book of Acts, we see that some of the fiercest opponents of the Gospel message, as it was spread across the Mediterranean area, were the Jews. (And we must remember that, before his conversion, Paul was one of them.) It was the Jews who stoned Stephen. It was the Jews who arrested Peter and John after they preached in the Temple and healed a lame man at the Temple gate. After that, the Jews plotted to kill several of the apostles. Paul said that he faced dangers from his own countrymen. Twice in Acts, we see Paul driven out of town by Jews after having preached the Gospel in their synagogue. Jews had Paul arrested and taken to the Roman governor Felix and to King Agrippa. Agrippa told Paul, "Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer."

Even though the majority of the Jews of Paul's day had rejected the Gospel, Paul still desired for them to be saved. And that is part of the reason why he was so dedicated to spreading the Gospel among the Gentiles.

Someone said, "His ascension is not His separation from His people, but the ascension of His throne and the beginning of His reign as the head of the Church which 'is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.'"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #139. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Luke 24:50-53 which reads: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from E. Talmadge Root. He said, "Christ “ascended,” not to depart from earth, but to take the throne of His Kingdom on earth. “He sat down at the right hand of God.” God’s reign does not consist in sitting upon a distant throne! It consists in omnipresent power and authority. To sit at His right hand means to share His Authority and Omnipresence."

Brooke Foss Westcott said, "By the Ascension we are encouraged to work beneath the surface of things to that which makes all things capable of consecration."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #138. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Mark 16:19 which reads: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Maltbie Babcock. He said, "Worship demands the far distances of God; it protests against the little, the near, the material. It must love but it must look up. It cannot live without the note of spirituality and universality, if not mystery. The ascension, the passing of Christ within the veil, answers this need. So does a full-robed Christianity add to definiteness of knowledge the outreach of imagination and home."

Have you ever faced a problem so difficult that, no matter what you did on your own, you could not resolve it? Have you ever been in a situation which made you feel as though you were helpless to do anything to fix it? If so, then you know something of what the father and the disciples felt in this passage. As we look at the context, we see that Jesus had just come down from a high mountain with his inner circle of disciples -- Peter, James, and John. Up in the mountain, these three disciples experienced the transfiguration -- they saw Jesus Christ in His glorified form along with Moses and Elijah. Coming off of this mountain-top experience, Jesus and the three disciples are confronted with a man who is facing a Satanic stronghold -- he has a demon-possessed epileptic son, and Jesus' disciples could neither cast out the demon nor cure the epilepsy.

Matthew Henry describes the condition of the child this way: "The nature of this child's disease was very sad; He was lunatic and sore vexed. A lunatic is properly one whose distemper lies in the brain. The devil, by the divine permission, either caused this distemper, or at least concurred with it, to heighten and aggravate it. The child had the falling-sickness, and the hand of Satan was in it; by it he tormented then, and made it much more grievous than ordinarily it is. Those whom Satan got possession of, he afflicted by those diseases of the body which do most affect the mind; for it is the soul that he aims to do mischief to… The effects of the disease were very deplorable; He oft falls into the fire, and into the water. If the force of the disease made him to fall, the malice of the devil made him to fall into the fire or water; so mischievous is he where he gains possession and power in any soul. He seeks to devour."

Luke chapter 10 lets us know that the disciples had cast out demons before, but this one, they could not cast out. They were helpless to do anything against the demonic stronghold in the boy's life. G. Campbell Morgan states that, coming off of the mountain, Jesus "found Himself confronted by that helpless boy, by that helpless father, by that helpless age, by those helpless disciples. There the mountain; now the valley. There glorified saints; here the lunatic. There the King in His heavenly glory; here the representatives of baffled and beaten faith."

Today, we are going to look at what we can learn from the perspective of the father in this passage on how to overcome Satanic strongholds through prayer.

Have you ever faced a problem so difficult that, no matter what you did on your own, you could not resolve it? Have you ever been in a situation which made you feel as though you were helpless to do anything to fix it? If so, then you know something of what the father and the disciples felt in this passage. As we look at the context, we see that Jesus had just come down from a high mountain with his inner circle of disciples -- Peter, James, and John. Up in the mountain, these three disciples experienced the transfiguration -- they saw Jesus Christ in His glorified form along with Moses and Elijah. Coming off of this mountain-top experience, Jesus and the three disciples are confronted with a man who is facing a Satanic stronghold -- he has a demon-possessed epileptic son, and Jesus' disciples could neither cast out the demon nor cure the epilepsy.

Matthew Henry describes the condition of the child this way: "The nature of this child's disease was very sad; He was lunatic and sore vexed. A lunatic is properly one whose distemper lies in the brain. The devil, by the divine permission, either caused this distemper, or at least concurred with it, to heighten and aggravate it. The child had the falling-sickness, and the hand of Satan was in it; by it he tormented then, and made it much more grievous than ordinarily it is. Those whom Satan got possession of, he afflicted by those diseases of the body which do most affect the mind; for it is the soul that he aims to do mischief to… The effects of the disease were very deplorable; He oft falls into the fire, and into the water. If the force of the disease made him to fall, the malice of the devil made him to fall into the fire or water; so mischievous is he where he gains possession and power in any soul. He seeks to devour."

Luke chapter 10 lets us know that the disciples had cast out demons before, but this one, they could not cast out. They were helpless to do anything against the demonic stronghold in the boy's life. G. Campbell Morgan states that, coming off of the mountain, Jesus "found Himself confronted by that helpless boy, by that helpless father, by that helpless age, by those helpless disciples. There the mountain; now the valley. There glorified saints; here the lunatic. There the King in His heavenly glory; here the representatives of baffled and beaten faith."

Today, we are going to look at what we can learn from the perspective of the father in this passage on how to overcome Satanic strongholds through prayer.

Francis Peloubet said, "Jesus went away not only to prepare a place for us, so that it will be ready for us as one by one we go home, but to prepare us for the place, to fit us for heavenly enjoyments and heavenly service."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #137. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Luke 24:50-53 which reads: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from J. H. Newman. He said, "Christ is already in that place of peace, which is all in all. He is on the right hand of God. He is hidden in the brightness of the radiance which issues from the everlasting throne. He is in the very abyss of peace, where there is no voice of tumult or distress, but a deep stillness—stillness, that greatest and most awful of all goods which we can fancy; that most perfect of joys, the utter profound, ineffable tranquility of the Divine Essence. He has entered into His rest. That is our home; here we are on a pilgrimage, and Christ calls us to His many mansions which He has prepared."

William Wordsworth said, "See, the Conqueror mounts in triumph,
See the King in royal state,
Riding on the clouds His chariot
To His heavenly palace-gate;
Hark, the choirs of angel voices
Joyful hallelujahs sing,
And the portals high are lifted,
To receive their heavenly King."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #136. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 7:33 which reads: "Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Brooke Foss Westcott. He said, "By the Ascension all the parts of life are brought together in the oneness of their common destination. By the Ascension Christ in His Humanity is brought close to every one of us, and the words "in Christ," the very charter of our faith, gain a present power. By the Ascension we are encouraged to work beneath the surface of things to that which makes all things capable of consecration. Then it is that the last element in our confession as to Christ's work speaks to our hearts. He is not only present with us as Ascended: He is active for us. We believe that He sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty."

Charles Wesley said,
"Hail the day that sees Him rise,
Ravished from our wistful eyes!
Christ, awhile to mortals given,
Re-ascends His native heaven.
There the glorious triumph waits,
Lift your heads, eternal gates!
Wide unfold the radiant scene,
Take the King of glory in!"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #135. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 1:9 which reads: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "His Ascension marked a stage in His revelation, but it only brought Him nearer to us. To have lingered among the early disciples would have limited His mission and sequestered Him from the later Church. As the Resurrection opened the grave, the Ascension opened heaven."

Dr. Gardner C. Taylor, who passed away on Easter Sunday this year, is hailed today as the "dean of American preaching." But, if Gardner C. Taylor had had his way, he would have never been a preacher at all. According to a Christianity Today feature story, Dr. Taylor was born in 1918 to Reverend Washington and Selina Taylor, and he inherited "Baptist genes" that many assumed would lead him into pastoral ministry. But Taylor said, "I recoiled from the thought of being a preacher. I wanted to go to law school and become a criminal lawyer. My boyhood friends in Louisiana tried to discourage me from that idea, though; at that time, no black person had ever been admitted to the Louisiana bar." Taylor pursued his goal, and after being admitted to the University of Michigan Law School, he was well on his way to a career in law.

However, shortly before leaving home to go to college, he was involved in a tragic car accident. One night in rural Louisiana, another vehicle suddenly cut across his path. He said, "I tried to avoid them, but I couldn't." Both of the passengers in the other car -- two white men -- died. And the only witnesses to the accident were a white farmer and a white oil refinery worker.

Being a young black man, Gardner Taylor was worried about how everything would turn out. He said, "In that day, for a white person to tell the truth about a black person in that situation was incredible; but those men told the truth. I would not be here today if they had not." That event was the turning point in his life when he finally decided to accept the call to preach. He said, "I was surprised by God's grace. I had been brooding about my future for a long time, but that was the defining moment."

Many have testified to the power of God's grace in their lives. It was God's grace that delivered a young Gardner C. Taylor from the possible deep South, Jim Crow devastating consequences of what was already a tragic situation. But more importantly, it was God's grace that led him to salvation in Jesus Christ and to the calling to preach the Gospel which caused Him to become known as one of the greatest preachers who walked the earth. Even though he was a very humble man who said he "wanted to be remembered as just a preacher", many call him "the prince of preachers" and "the dean of American preaching." And it is God's grace that can deliver you from the even greater consequences of your own sins, faults, and failures, and give you new life to be who God has made you to be and do what God has gifted you to do. Allow me to explain to you what I mean.

He is a professional basketball player who currently plays the point guard position for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA. He played college basketball for Davidson University where he was twice named Southern Conference Player of the Year and set the all-time scoring record for both Davidson and the Southern Conference. He also set the single-season NCAA record for three-pointers made in his Sophomore year. He was twice named an NBA All-Star and in the 2014-2015 season, exceeded his own NBA record of 272 three-pointers with his 273rd on April 9, 2015. He is a two-time gold medalist as a member of the United States men's national basketball team in both 2010 and 2014. He is also a silver medalist with the Under-19 USA team in 2007.

In an article for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he said of his faith:

"I remember it like it was yesterday, the day I gave my life to Christ. I was in fourth grade, and I recall hearing and understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ and walking down the aisle to give my life to Him. My parents continued to pour into my faith from that point on, making sure I understood the commitment I’d just made. Starting in middle school I attended Charlotte Christian School, which allowed me to hear the gospel on a daily basis. Looking back, my childhood was filled with the Lord’s presence.

Wanting to follow in my dad’s footsteps on the hardwood, I had my sights set on Virginia Tech during my high school years. Unfortunately, the Hokies and other ACC schools weren’t interested. I was confident the Lord had blessed me with the talent to play the game, and I just wanted to go where He wanted me to be. That place became as clear as day to me once I met Bob McKillop, Davidson’s head coach. He explained his vision for my career at Davidson and how he could help me achieve my goals. Plus, he was a man of God, so it was an added bonus to play for a leader who was grounded in faith. The entire recruiting and signing experience taught me about patience and seeking God’s will, because He had a plan all along. I couldn’t see it at the time, but I trusted He knew what was best for me.

During our Cinderella run to the 2008 Elite Eight, I knew the Lord was preparing me for a bigger stage to represent and be a witness for Him on the basketball court. I remembered my mom telling me from day one at Davidson that God puts His people in different areas of life so that they can reach more people for Him. I tried to use that time for His glory. Then, in 2009, it was a surreal moment and a dream realized to be sitting in the green room with my family hearing my name called as the seventh overall pick of the NBA Draft.

Fast-forward to now—my fourth year with the Warriors—and my faith continues to be my driving force. God’s blessed me with an awesome support system in Oakland, starting with my head coach, Mark Jackson, who is a pastor of a congregation in Southern California. It’s rare to have such an outspoken believer leading an NBA team. We also have about 10 guys on our team who attend our pregame chapels and pray together before games. The Holy Spirit is moving through our locker room in a way I’ve never experienced before. It’s allowing us to reach a lot of people, and personally I am just trying to use this stage to share how God has been a blessing to my life and how He can be the same in everyone else’s.

God’s given me talents to play basketball for a living, but I still have to work hard to improve every day. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this is just a game that can be taken from me at any moment. But I love that basketball gives me the opportunities to do good things for people and to point them towards the Man who died for our sins on the cross. I know I have a place in heaven waiting for me because of Him, and that’s something no earthly prize or trophy could ever top. There’s more to me than just this jersey I wear, and that’s Christ

A recent feature story in the Washington Post states: "For centuries, explorers have searched the world for the fountain of youth. Today's billionaires believe they can create it, using technology and data." The story went on to describe how Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal, and Larry Page, the co-founder of Google, met with a molecular biologist and theoretician to discuss how they can use technology to slow down ageing and greatly elongate the human lifespan. The story also reported that Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, "has proclaimed his wish to live forever and has donated more than $430 million to anti-aging research." He told his biographer, "Death has never made any sense to me. How can a person be there and then just vanish, just not be there?"

No doubt, every person who has lived has had questions about death. And nearly everyone has wondered at one time or another how they can extend their life or remain younger longer. Television ads about anti-aging creams and techniques populate the airwaves. People fret over dieting and health issues in an effort to look and feel younger. People have a seemingly natural desire to live longer -- even to defy death and live forever.

As the Washington Post story mentioned, the waters of the fabled Fountain of Youth were said to restore the youth of anyone who drank from them. This fountain was spoken of and sought after from the fourth century BC to the 16th century, from the far eastern land of China to Florida in the New World.

Despite the millions of dollars that are being invested in a bid to defy death, the Bible says, "It is appointed unto men once to die." You and I will die one day. It is not within man's power to escape death altogether.

However, the Holy Bible also tells us of a place where people's bodies will no longer age and decay, where people will never get sick or diseased, and where no one will ever die. The best thing about this place is that everyone who goes there will be in the presence of the loving Creator who is the source of all life, energy, and vitality. So, how do we make the leap from this earth, where people age, decay, and die, to that place called Heaven or Paradise, where the Bible guarantees there will be no more death?

Dean Arthur Stanley said, "He is gone; a cloud of light - Has received Him from our sight;
High in heaven, where eye of men - Follows not, nor angels' can;
Through the veils of time and space, - Passed in to the holiest place;
All the toil, the sorrow done, - All the battle fought and won."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #134. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:51 which reads: "And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "The ascension of Christ added distance to definiteness in worship. Definiteness we must have, as ever craving for a theophany, every instinct of idolatry proves. 'Lord, show us the Father and it sufficeth us' is prompted by this feeling. The Incarnation is God's response to this human need. But imagine Jesus living on indefinitely after the resurrection, even under the earthly conditions which obtained during those forty days!"

Romans 6:1-2: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

In our last lesson series we learned the wonderful truth that we are one with the Lord Jesus Christ. As the branch is joined to the vine, so we are joined to the Lord Jesus in a living union. We are in Him and His life is in us.

With all the wonderful blessings that we have in Christ, we might think that the Christian life is going to be easy, but this is not true. We have many powerful enemies—sin, self, the world, the flesh, and Satan himself. In this lesson series we are going to consider the problem of sin in the life of a Christian.

When we are first saved, we are filled with joy. Our sins are forgiven, and we have peace with God. We want to please God in all that we do. Perhaps we think that we will not be bothered by sin any more, but we discover that this is not true.

Sooner or later, we find ourselves thinking wrong thoughts and doing wrong things. We go to God, confess our sins, and receive His forgiveness, but then we go and do the same things again. The problem is that we are under the power of sin.

Some Christians do not take this matter as seriously as they should. As long as they can go to God and receive His forgiveness, they think that everything is all right. But this is not so. It is a terrible thing for a Christian to continue in sin. It grieves the Holy Spirit and it brings shame on the name of Jesus.

The Apostle Paul dealt with this matter of sin in the life of a Christian when he wrote in Romans 6:1-2, "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" To the Apostle Paul it was unthinkable that we as Christians should keep on sinning. Why? Because we have "died to sin." In this lesson we are going to find out what Paul meant when he said that we "died to sin." We are going to see how the Lord Jesus delivered us from the kingdom of darkness where sin reigns. We are going to discover the secret of freedom from sin's power.

From this passage, which is actually part of a prayer which Jesus prayed for His disciples, we have already learned a couple of things about how we should deal with being in the world but not of the world. First, we are to abstain from the evil, the temptation, and the sin that is in the world. And, second, we ought to live like Jesus Christ in the world.

Today, I want us to recognize how that we are on a mission in the world. We are not here to just bide time until Jesus returns or until we die and go to Heaven. Each of us has been commissioned by Jesus to fulfill a specific mission. Jesus Christ prays to His Father, "As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world."

Why did God send Jesus Christ into the world? In Luke 4, Jesus explained, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." That was Jesus' calling. That was the mission He had to fulfill. Throughout His time in the world, He was tempted by the devil, He was criticized by people who did not believe, He was lied on and slandered, and He experienced hatred and humiliation. Yet, He fulfilled His mission in the world so much so that as He died on the cross, He said, 'It is finished; I have done all that I came to do.'

The mission that we have to fulfill in the world is similar. We don't have to die on the cross, but we have to preach the Gospel of the Cross -- the good news -- that Someone has already died on the cross. We still have to take the message of salvation to the poor, tell the broken-hearted about the Great Heart Healer, let those who are in bondage to sin know that they can be set free, and to declare that today is the day of salvation. If we are determined to fulfill our mission in the world, we will also be tempted by the devil, criticized by nonbelievers, lied on, slandered, hated, and humiliated. However, we ought not to let that discourage us. Our goal ought to be to finish like Jesus Christ finished, and to be able to say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith..."

From this passage, which is actually part of a prayer which Jesus prayed for His disciples, we have already learned a couple of things about how we should deal with being in the world but not of the world. First, we are to abstain from the evil, the temptation, and the sin that is in the world. And, second, we ought to live like Jesus Christ in the world.

Today, I want us to recognize how that we are on a mission in the world. We are not here to just bide time until Jesus returns or until we die and go to Heaven. Each of us has been commissioned by Jesus to fulfill a specific mission. Jesus Christ prays to His Father, "As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world."

Why did God send Jesus Christ into the world? In Luke 4, Jesus explained, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." That was Jesus' calling. That was the mission He had to fulfill. Throughout His time in the world, He was tempted by the devil, He was criticized by people who did not believe, He was lied on and slandered, and He experienced hatred and humiliation. Yet, He fulfilled His mission in the world so much so that as He died on the cross, He said, 'It is finished; I have done all that I came to do.'

The mission that we have to fulfill in the world is similar. We don't have to die on the cross, but we have to preach the Gospel of the Cross -- the good news -- that Someone has already died on the cross. We still have to take the message of salvation to the poor, tell the broken-hearted about the Great Heart Healer, let those who are in bondage to sin know that they can be set free, and to declare that today is the day of salvation. If we are determined to fulfill our mission in the world, we will also be tempted by the devil, criticized by nonbelievers, lied on, slandered, hated, and humiliated. However, we ought not to let that discourage us. Our goal ought to be to finish like Jesus Christ finished, and to be able to say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith..."

Starting this weekend, Jewish communities in Israel, the United States, and around the world will mark the Days of Remembrance leading up to Holocaust Remembrance Day on Thursday, April 16th. The plight of the Jews after World War II caused many Jews and others to realize that the children of Israel needed a homeland that they could call their own, and that led to the founding of the state of Israel in 1948 which was a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Several Old Testament prophets spoke of the regathering of the children of Israel in their homeland. Isaiah 66:7-8 says, “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” On May 14, 1948, the Jews declared independence for Israel as a united and sovereign nation for the first time in 2900 years. On that same day, the United States issued a statement recognizing Israel’s sovereignty. And, only hours before, a United Nations mandate expired, ending British control of the land. During a 24-hour span of time, foreign control of the land of Israel formally ceased. Modern Israel was literally born in a single day -- just as Isaiah had prophesied.

Today’s Israeli government has a mandate to prevent another Holocaust from occurring. According to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, there are approximately 140,000 Holocaust survivors in the world today, and their numbers are quickly dwindling. It is our hope and prayer that many of the ageing Jews and supporters of the Jews would come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior before it is too late. As one Holocaust survivor, Fred Wertheim, said, "First I escaped from Hitler as a Jewish refugee. Then I was liberated as an American prisoner of war. But I was never free until Messiah saved and rescued me."

Today, we are continuing our study of this very topic: how and when will the Jews ultimately turn to Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Savior?

Last week, we learned from Romans 11:1-10 that the Jews who accept Jesus Christ as Savior are saved by the 'election of grace' just as the Gentiles are. As we continue in this passage, we see that Paul gives another reason why the Jews will eventually come to Christ as Savior. He asks the question, "Have the Jews stumbled that they should fall?" In other words, does the unbelief of the Jews (their stumbling) mean that they will be lost forever? He answers, "God forbid." And then Paul goes on to say, "but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy."

Edward Talmadge Root said, "Christ "ascended," not to depart from earth, but to take the throne of His Kingdom on earth. "He sat down at the right hand of God." God's reign does not consist in sitting upon a distant throne! It consists in omnipresent power and authority. To sit at His right hand means to share His Authority and Omnipresence."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #133. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Psalm 68:18 which reads: "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Henry Newman. He said, "Christ is already in that place of peace, which is all in all. He is on the right hand of God. He is hidden in the brightness of the radiance which issues from the everlasting throne. He is in the very abyss of peace, where there is no voice of tumult or distress, but a deep stillness--stillness, that greatest and most awful of all goods which we can fancy; that most perfect of joys, the utter profound, ineffable tranquility of the Divine Essence. He has entered into His rest. That is our home; here we are on a pilgrimage, and Christ calls us to His many mansions which He has prepared."

Francis Nathan Peloubet said, "Jesus went away not only to prepare a place for us, so that it will be ready for us as one by one we go home, but to prepare us for the place, to fit us for heavenly enjoyments and heavenly service."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #132. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Psalm 47:5 which reads: "God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Henry Melvill. He said, "We celebrate this day the Ascension of our great Judge into heaven, where He sits upon His throne and has all the world before Him; every human soul, with its desires and aims, its thoughts, words, and works, whether they be good or bad. Every man who is running now his mortal race is from first to last before the eye of Him who as on this day ascended with human nature into heaven. Shall we grieve that the Visible Presence is withdrawn, and that there is no longer on earth the mighty and mysterious. Personage who put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself and discomfited through dying the enemies of God and man? Not so! There is no reason for sorrow that He quits the earth on the wings of the wind. We could not detain Him below, we would have Him as our Mediator within the veil. This and this only, can secure to us those spiritual assistances through which we ourselves may climb the firmament."

Michael Baumgarten said, "The ascension of Elijah may be compared to the flight of a bird, which none can follow; the ascension of Christ is, as it were, a bridge between earth and heaven, laid down for all who are drawn to Him by His earthly existence."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #131. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Luke 24:50-53 which reads: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Maltbie Davenport Babcock. He said, "Worship demands the far distances of God; it protests against the little, the near, the material. It must love but it must look up. It cannot live without the note of spirituality and universality, if not mystery. The ascension, the passing of Christ within the veil, answers this need. So does a full-robed Christianity add to definiteness of knowledge the outreach of imagination and home."

The story is told of how new believers in an African tribe were very earnest and consistent in carrying out their private devotions. Each one had a separate spot in the thickets surrounding their village where they would go to pour out their heart to God. Over time, the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others because the path would once again become overgrown. These observant believers would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."

Perhaps, you need to ask yourself today if the grass has grown on your path. In other words, have you been spending time alone with God as you should? In this mini-series, we have been looking at Jesus' example of getting alone to talk with the Heavenly Father. So far, we have learned the necessity of being determined to get alone with God. This may involve clearing your schedule of other things that are also important with the understanding that nothing is as important as communicating with the Creator of the Universe. Second, we have learned that praying alone puts us in a place of peace even when there is trouble and chaos around us.

Today, we will look at one of the key results of praying alone and the peace that comes with it as shown through Jesus' actions. Before Jesus went up into the mountain to pray, He dismissed His disciples and sent them ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The Bible tells us that as Jesus was in prayer, "The ship was in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."

John Flavel said, "He is taken up, that He may fulfill His design in dying, and give the work of our salvation its last completing act."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #130. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Mark 16:19 which reads: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Thomas Arnold. He said, "Our first impressions are to consider the Ascension of our Lord as the very greatest event connected with His appearance on earth. To our own mind, undoubtedly, nothing could be so solemn, so exalting, as the changing this life for another; the putting off mortality and putting on immortality; and all this we connect with the thought of the removal from earth to heaven."

W.H. Griffith Thomas said, "Jesus Christ is the greatest influence in the world today. There is...a fifth Gospel being written—the work of Jesus Christ in the hearts and lives of men and nations."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #129. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Albert Schweitzer. He said, "Jesus means something to our world because a mighty spiritual force streams forth from him and flows through our being also. This fact can neither be shaken nor confirmed by any historical discovery. It is the solid foundation of Christianity."

Gardner C. Taylor said, "There is a word on the floor of the pulpit at Concord Church. It says, 'We would see Jesus.' That's the bottom line of worship and the top one too."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #128. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 16:25 which reads: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Billy Graham. He said, "No man ever lived like Jesus. He taught the blind to see and the dumb to speak. He died on the cross to save us. He bore our sins. And God says, 'Because He did, I can forgive you.'"

He is the current head coach of the University of Connecticut men's basketball team. He played for 12 teams in the NBA for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2010. His teams included the Dallas Mavericks, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 2012, he was named the head basketball coach at Connecticut, replacing longtime hall of fame coach Jim Calhoun. In 2014, he led the Huskies to defeat top-ranked Florida in the First Final Four national semifinal of the NCAA Tournament. They went on to beat the Kentucky Wildcats in the championship game that same year for Connecticut's fourth NCAA men's championship in fifteen years.

In an article for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he said of his faith:

"Los Angeles has so many potential distractions and pitfalls for young kids growing up there. But, in my own life, because God had blessed me with a solid faith in Him through the instruction of my mother, I was able to avoid most of them. Like some of us do, though, I strayed from the Lord and did my own thing once I got out of the house and went to college. After finishing at the University of Connecticut and playing a few years in the Continental Basketball Association, I rededicated my life to the Lord. It was in 1996 after my wife and I welcomed our first son, Jalen. I was experiencing so much change in hoping for a call up and caring for a new baby. It was a trying time, but God got me through and helped me focus on what I needed to do, which was serve Him above everything else and seek His Kingdom.

"The following year I signed as a rookie with the Dallas Mavericks. The NBA was a completely new world for me, but thankfully, I was on a team with A.C. Green. He was a veteran guy widely known for his faith, and he made it cool to be a God-follower. He would host chapel in his room before every game, and that time became something I loved and leaned on. Coming into the league, I had been so attracted to all of the worldly things, but A.C. made sure that God was the only thing I was attracted to. He explained to me that I had to take time for God and not follow the crowd. It was great to have someone of his stature and faith in my corner, and I stayed under his wing. I really owe him a lot for giving me that foundation and letting me know that it was cool to love Christ and play basketball.

"Overall, my career has included time with 11 different teams in 13 years. Sometimes I’ve asked God why I couldn’t just stay on one team, but, as I look back on it, I’m glad God took me that way because I learned how to depend on Him. When I was weak, He made me strong. I learned to understand more about unconditional love. When you’re in those valleys, He is right there with you. He has been a great God to me—my Rock and my Support. When I would get cut from a team or told I wasn’t good enough, God never cut me. He never said I wasn’t good enough.

"God has given me the gift of playing basketball, and I have to be a good steward of this platform. It is my calling, but it’s not just about basketball. I can be a basketball player and a God-fearing man, and that’s what I want people to see. Basketball has given me wonderful opportunities, but, if it wasn’t for Jesus dying on the cross for me, I wouldn’t have had any of them.

"I just want to continue to do things that allow me to be in front of people and share my testimony and the gifts God has given me. I know that He already has a purpose and a vision for me, and I want to be prepared for that. When He calls, I will come running. Personally, I am on a crusade to lift Him up in everything I do. People have to see Christ in us, and I am trying to emphasize that with all of the people I meet. In the end, I want them to see me as an example of God—not only a role model, but a God model."

During the celebration of Christmas, many people spend time frantically searching for, buying, and wrapping gifts to give to others. During the celebration of Thanksgiving, many turn toward family, food, and fun, and making sure that everyone has a good time. During the celebration of a New Year, we are forced to ponder the past and the future and we strive to do those things that will make our future better than our past.

The celebration of Easter, however, is unique. The reason why millions celebrate this holiday has nothing at all to do with anything we have done or can do for ourselves, for others, or for God. Rather, Easter commemorates what God did for us in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins, to be buried, and to rise from the dead. Jesus' resurrection from the dead was a once-in-history event that had never happened before and has never happened since. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the singular event in history that stands above all others in scope or importance, and each of us alive today benefit from the event commemorated by the celebration of Easter. We do not have to do anything to make Easter happen. Easter has happened to us and for us.

What are the main benefits that we gain from the events that are commemorated on Easter.

Campbell Morgan said, "The resurrection is the most stupendous, supernatural miracle that the world has ever known. It supercedes everything else - because if He is not risen from the dead then everything else collapses!"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #127. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Luke 24:6-7 which reads: "He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Leonard Ravenhill. He said, "There are many infallible proofs of Christ's Resurrection! Again, this is the key to the apostolic church. This is the key to the apostolic church of Jesus Christ today. All the warranties of the future are in Jesus Christ and the resurrection."

In our recent lessons, we have talked about one of the greatest secrets of the Christian life. The secret is this: Christ lives in us. The Apostle Paul called this a great mystery. He wrote to the Colossian Christians, "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Is the Christian life trying to be good? No. Is it trying to imitate another good Christian? No. Is it trying to imitate the Lord Jesus Himself? No, the Christian life is none of these things. What is the Christian life then? It is Christ living His life in us.

The Apostle Paul said, "For to me to live is Christ." He did not say, "For me to live is to try to be like Christ." What he is really saying is, "For me to live is to have Christ living His life in me."

Then, how do we live the Christian Life? We live it by trusting the Lord Jesus to live His life in us. Instead of our trying to live the Christian life, we let Him live His life out through us. His life is always pleasing to the Father. He said, "I always do those things that please Him."

The Lord Jesus has not changed. He is still the same Person, and He wants to live His life through us. He will do this as we trust Him. The Lord says, "I am the Vine, you are the branches." We do not have to try to make ourselves branches, we are branches forever joined to Him in a living union.

As we live day by day, we must count on the fact that we are one with Christ. Remember, faith in our standing makes it real in our life. This means that, as we count on the fact that we are in Christ and He is in us, we receive the power to live as a child of God should live.

Today, millions of people around the globe acknowledge and remember the life and death of the most incredible Man who ever walked on Earth -- Jesus Christ. Yet, this man is remembered not just for what He did during His life, but for what He did after His death. Very simply, He rose from the dead. Without the resurrection, Jesus Christ very likely would have faded into the pages of history -- chalked up as just another zealous Jew who failed in His attempt to upset the established religious order and overthrow Roman oppression.

Yet, the resurrection did happen. And today the luminous figure that is Jesus Christ reigns supreme as the most important, the most controversial, and the most beloved Person who ever lived. Carnegie Simpson said, "Instinctively we do not class Him with others. When one reads His name in a list beginning with Confucius and ending with Goethe we feel it is an offense less against orthodoxy than against decency. Jesus is not one of the group of the world's great. Talk about Alexander the Great and Charles the Great and Napoleon the Great if you will…Jesus is apart. He is not the Great; He is the Only. He is simply Jesus….He confounds our canons of human nature." You may not care for Christians and you may not like the church, but no one can deny the impact that Jesus Christ has on the world. His followers took a fledgling movement and caused it to explode into a worldwide phenomenon. It has endured through violent persecution, intellectual assault, and systematic attempts to stamp it out.

On this Easter Sunday, I want to talk about the root of the Christian message -- the Gospel -- and what it is that makes this message so powerful, so resilient, and so unstoppable.

Today, millions of people around the globe acknowledge and remember the life and death of the most incredible Man who ever walked on Earth -- Jesus Christ. Yet, this man is remembered not just for what He did during His life, but for what He did after His death. Very simply, He rose from the dead. Without the resurrection, Jesus Christ very likely would have faded into the pages of history -- chalked up as just another zealous Jew who failed in His attempt to upset the established religious order and overthrow Roman oppression.

Yet, the resurrection did happen. And today the luminous figure that is Jesus Christ reigns supreme as the most important, the most controversial, and the most beloved Person who ever lived. Carnegie Simpson said, "Instinctively we do not class Him with others. When one reads His name in a list beginning with Confucius and ending with Goethe we feel it is an offense less against orthodoxy than against decency. Jesus is not one of the group of the world's great. Talk about Alexander the Great and Charles the Great and Napoleon the Great if you will…Jesus is apart. He is not the Great; He is the Only. He is simply Jesus….He confounds our canons of human nature." You may not care for Christians and you may not like the church, but no one can deny the impact that Jesus Christ has on the world. His followers took a fledgling movement and caused it to explode into a worldwide phenomenon. It has endured through violent persecution, intellectual assault, and systematic attempts to stamp it out.

On this Easter Sunday, I want to talk about the root of the Christian message -- the Gospel -- and what it is that makes this message so powerful, so resilient, and so unstoppable.

Today, we are continuing our survey of Israel's role in the end times. As we talked about last week, although many Jews have rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah, God has in place a remnant even now who believe in His Son as their Lord and Savior. That is what Paul makes clear in Romans 11:1-10. He also makes clear that although it may seem as though God has abandoned His chosen people, He has a plan that He is working out for their good and for the good of the entire world. Part of that plan is taking place right now -- God is giving Gentiles like us the opportunity to become a part of His family by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Today, we are going to continue working our way through Romans 11 and uncovering all that God has there in order that we might fully understand how God will go about fulfilling His promises to Israel in the end times. As Paul proceeds with his discussion about the remnant of Israel who believe on Christ, he writes: "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."

Notice, first, that the Jews who are saved are saved by grace just like us. The remnant of Jews who believe on Jesus, who have not stumbled because of unbelief, believe only due to the "election of grace." Leon Morris calls this "an important feature of the remnant." We see here that Jews even today fall under the category of being "chosen" by God -- that is the meaning of election. However, this election is not the same as it was when God chose the people of Israel over all the people of the Earth to enter into a covenant relationship with Him. The Mosaic Covenant, which God gave to the Israelites who had come out of Egypt was conditional. God told them, ‘If you obey Me, I will bless you; if you disobey Me, I will curse you.' What they got out of the Mosaic Covenant depended on their actions. It was a cause and result relationship: obedience equaled blessings and disobedience equaled curses.

However, the "election of grace" is different. The election of grace is based solely on Jesus Christ's work on the cross -- not our works. Even the Jews cannot depend on their special status or their works as a means by which they can enter into this election of grace and thus gain favor with God and have a home in Heaven.

So far in this Easter Week series, we have talked about the power of the resurrection as it pertains to those who are already following Jesus Christ. But the power of the resurrection extends even to unbelievers -- and not just to passive unbelievers but to those who hate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Acts chapter 9 introduces us to one of these haters of the Gospel -- a man named Saul, more commonly known as Paul. He was a Jew dedicated to the persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ. As you might recall, after Jesus' tomb was found to be empty, the Jewish authorities paid the Roman guards to say that the disciples had come and stolen Jesus' body. They did not want the word to get out that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead. They knew that if that got out among the people, the 'Jesus movement' of the first century would be back in full swing.

Of course, as we saw from Acts chapter 2, the disciples of Christ were boldly preaching in Jerusalem that Jesus had been raised from the dead, and so the Jewish leaders set about to stamp out all of those who followed Christ. This is where Saul comes in. Saul was a well-educated man who was evidently very favored by the religious authorities. He had been born in Tarsus, his father was a Pharisee, and he had been trained in tentmaking. We don’t know what Saul looked like, but an ancient source states that he was "a man of moderate stature, with crisp hair, crooked legs, blue eyes, large knit brows, and a long nose."

The Jewish authorities were relying on Saul to help them eradicate the followers of the Way. We read that he was "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord." The phrase "breathing out" puts us in mind of a dragon breathing out fire. That is how fierce Saul’s hatred for the church was. He was on his way to Damascus to arrest any Christians he found and bring them back to Jerusalem to be put on trial. And that is when he has his encounter with the resurrected Christ.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "If God’s history among human beings had ended on Good Friday, then the final pronouncement over humankind would be guilt, rebellion, the unfettering of all titanic human forces, a storming of heaven by human beings, godlessness, godforsakenness, but then ultimately meaninglessness and despair. Then your faith is futile. Then you are still in your guilt. Then we are of all people most to be pitied. That is, the final word would be the human being."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #126. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 2:21-24 which reads: "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Jon Bloom. He said, "A bright irony on this darkest of days is that the men who step forward to claim the corpse of the Christ for burial are not family members or disciples. They are members of the Sanhedrin: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. It is one more unexpected thread of grace woven into this tapestry of redemption. They quickly wrap Jesus’s body in a sheet and lay it in a nearby tomb. Evening is falling and they don’t have time to fully dress it with spices."

No one can deny that the history of the world has been a history of division, hatred, prejudice, and animosity between nations, races, ethnicities, and social cultures. Even today, much of the conflict and tension in our world can be defined by the barriers that separate groups of people: Arabs vs. Jews, Sunni Muslims vs. Shiite Muslims, Hindus vs. Christians, Blacks vs. Whites, the wealthy upper class vs. the poor lower class, and the list goes on.

In Jesus' day, there was plenty of division to go around as well: Jews vs. Gentiles; the religious, well-to-do upper class vs. the poor, barely-getting-by lower class; slave-owners vs. slaves; Pharisees vs. Sadducees; men vs. women; Rome-hating zealots vs. Rome-loving pacifiers. Just as in modern times, I am sure there were people in Jesus' day who wondered why folks just couldn't get along with each other. I am sure that for those people, the coming of Jesus Christ was a breath of fresh air. Jesus was a leader who associated with anybody who wanted to do the will of His Father in Heaven no matter what their status or position was in life. Jesus talked to, mingled with, and worked miracles for Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans, Greeks, Romans, military leaders, sinners, fishermen, tax collectors, the pious, the not-so-pious, the rich, and the poor.

After His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus bequeathed that legacy of breaking down barriers to His followers. They, like most sinful, prejudiced human beings, were much slower to accept people who were different from them. But, through the power of the Holy Spirit, they came around to it. As we live in a time when there is much discussion about diversity and racial reconciliation, what can we learn about the breaking down of barriers between people groups which came about in the aftermath of the resurrection?

Coretta Scott King said, "When Good Friday comes, these are the moments in life when we feel there is no hope. But then Easter comes as a time of resurrection, of rebirth, of hope and fulfillment."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #125. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 19:30 which reads: "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Piper. He said, "The universe was created for the glorification of God's grace at Calvary."

When the disciples gathered at the Mount of Olives for their last meeting with Jesus Christ on Earth, the Resurrection was already in the rearview mirror. It was already a past event. The greatest thing that had ever happened in history had already taken place. However, Jesus Christ had previously told the disciples of a second coming -- of a return of the King -- when He would finish fulfilling the work of the Messiah in the Earth. Surely as Jesus ascended into the clouds, the greatest question on the minds of the disciples was simply, "When is He coming back?"

As we look at the immediate aftermath of the Resurrection, we see the community of believers taking its baby steps as a church. What can we learn from their experience that applies to our Christian lives here and now?

Dave Hunt said, "They [the disciples] were testifying to the resurrection, a question of fact, not merely of faith. They were convinced of an event. And their willingness to die for attesting to that event is far more convincing that the willingness of others to die for a mere belief or because of loyalty to a religion or religious leader."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #124. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 20:17-19 which reads: "And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Brooke Foss Westcott. He said, "Raking all the evidence together, it is not too much to say that there is no historic incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ. Nothing but the antecedent assumption that it must be false could have suggested the idea of deficiency in the proof of it."

Throughout the Gospels, we see repeatedly that the disciples are very concerned about being left alone without Jesus Christ. Whenever Jesus talked about going to the cross to die, going back to Heaven to be with His Father, or said something that indicated He would not always be with them, the disciples got worried. They did not want Jesus to leave them. At one point, Peter took it upon himself to rebuke Jesus after He mentioned how He would have to go up to Jerusalem to be tried and put to death. Once, when Jesus was talking about going back to Heaven, Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" John 16 tells us that "sorrow filled" the disciples' hearts as Jesus was telling them of how He had to go back to His Father. So, the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was the absolute worst thing that could happen for the confidence level and morale of Jesus' disciples. The One they had spent three years of their life following and learning from was gone. Even after they got over their disbelief about the Resurrection and accepted that Jesus had really and truly risen from the dead, they likely began to worry about Jesus leaving them yet again. Certainly, Jesus' seemingly newfound pension for appearing and disappearing unannounced did not ease their worries that He might one day vanish and never return.

So, with these thoughts in mind, we find the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ gathered at the Mount of Olives in Acts chapter 1. Luke alone informs us that this takes place 40 days after the Resurrection. During that time, Jesus had been 'showing himself alive by many infallible proofs.' Jesus made it His business to ensure that none of His disciples doubted that He had risen from the dead. The reason why is partly because He had a very important mission that He was about to commission them to carry out. That is why they all are gathered together at the Mount of Olives to meet with Jesus one last time before His ascension. During this meeting, Jesus informs them of a power -- the Holy Spirit -- who will come to live inside of them and enable them to carry out the mission that He is giving them. That same power lives inside of every believer today, and the power of the Holy Spirit came as a result of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and Jesus' ascension.

Last week, we began looking at the benefits of getting alone with God in order to commune with Him through prayer. Drawing from the example of Jesus Christ, we saw that if we are serious about getting alone with God, we will have to purposefully clear our schedule in order to keep an appointment with Him. This may involve putting some other things in our lives on hold for a while so that we can meet with God alone. Jesus Christ separated Himself from the multitude and from His disciples in order to go “up into a mountain apart to pray.”

Today, I want you to notice from this passage that praying alone puts you in a place of calm when there is chaos all around you. Prayer to God can take you to a place of peace and serenity when there is turmoil and upheaval in your family, in your community, in our nation, or in your church.

Notice, several things that were going on as Jesus was up in a mountain in prayer.

First, there were distressed disciples. As you will recall from last week, John the Baptist had just been beheaded, and his disciples had come to Jesus. Without their leader, they probably felt lost and were wondering what they should do next and what was going to happen next. Maybe they feared that Herod would come after them. They needed some advice, encouragement, and direction.

Second, there was the needy multitude. The people from the surrounding villages and towns came looking for Jesus when He tried to get away into a desert place. They wanted the sick among them to be healed. And after spending all day listening to Jesus teach, they were hungry. The Bible tells us that Jesus performed a miracle, feeding 5,000 men, not counting women and children. After this enormous demonstration of His power, John tells us that the people wanted to make Him their king. Of course, that was not God’s plan at the time, but that was what the people wanted.

Third, we see that after Jesus finally got away from all of the people and was alone in the mountain in prayer, a storm arose on the sea. The Bible says the boat that the disciples were in was ‘tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.’

With all that was happening around Him, Jesus Christ found refuge in prayer. Most of us would have been trying to deal with the situations that were happening. We would have been trying to comfort John’s disciples, continue taking care of the needy people, calm the storm for the apostles. There is a never ending list of things to do in the ministry , but what most of us don’t realize is that in the midst of all of our doing, we fail to invite God to do what we cannot do and to do even better what we try to do on our own.

William Lane Craig said, "Even if the disciples had believed in the resurrection of Jesus, it is doubtful they would have generated any following. So long as the body was interred in the tomb, a Christian movement founded on belief in the resurrection of the dead man would have been an impossible folly."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #123. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Mark 8:31 which reads: " And he [Jesus] began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Paul Maier. He said, "If all the evidence is weighed carefully and fairly, it is indeed justifiable, according to the canons of historical research, to conclude that the sepulcher of Joseph of Arimathea, in which Jesus was buried, was actually empty on the morning of the first Easter. And no shred of evidence has yet been discovered in literary sources, epigraphy, or archaeology that would disprove this statement."

John MacArthur said, "The Canadian scientist G. B. Hardy one time said, 'When I looked at religion I said, I have two questions. One, has anybody ever conquered death, and two, if they have, did they make a way for me to conquer death? I checked the tomb of Buddha, and it was occupied, and I checked the tomb of Confucius and it was occupied, and I checked the tomb of Mohammed and it was occupied, and I came to the tomb of Jesus and it was empty. And I said, There is one who conquered death. And I asked the second question, Did He make a way for me to do it? And I opened the Bible and discovered that He said, Because I live ye shall live also.'"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #122. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 17:31 which reads: "Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from E.P. Sanders. He said, "I do not regard deliberate fraud as a worthwhile explanation. Many of the people in these lists were to spend the rest of their lives proclaiming that they had seen the risen Lord, and several of them would die for their cause. Moreover, a calculated deception should have produced great unanimity. Instead, there seem to have been competitors: 'I saw him first!' 'No! I did.' Paul's tradition that 500 people saw Jesus at the same time has led some people to suggest that Jesus' followers suffered mass hysteria. But mass hysteria does not explain the other traditions."

According to the World Health Organization, over 350 million people around the world suffer from some form of depression. Long-term depression can lead to serious health problems. And, at its worse, depression can lead to suicide which is the cause of 1 million deaths each year. In recent months, the church has been forced to take a look at how it deals with depression. This is due in part to suicide being committed by pastors and children of pastors, as well as the seemingly consistent stream of reports which state that people who have carried out mass shootings, other criminal activity, including crashing a plane into a mountainside with 149 other people on board, suffer from some kind of depression or psychological illness.

So, depression is a real issue, and in our passage today, we find two depressed and discouraged individuals walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. One of these individuals is named Cleopas. Some have identified him as the husband of the "other Mary" who was at the cross as Jesus was being crucified. We do not know who his traveling companion is, but some have suggested that it is his wife. These two were on their way home from the Passover feast in Jerusalem which took place at the same time as Jesus' crucifixion. Luke tells us that they were traveling "that same day." This is referring to Sunday, the first Easter, after Mary, Mary Magdalene, Joanna and "other women" had gone to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus and found that the tomb was empty. The text indicates that Cleopas and his companion were with the disciples and others when the women came to tell them the good news, however, they, like the disciples, did not believe the report of the women. They are depressed, discouraged worried, and anxious about what has happened. As they are traveling, Jesus himself appears and begins walking with them, however, the Bible tells us that they do not recognize him. "Their eyes were holden that they should not know him" -- indicating that their inability to recognize Jesus was divinely orchestrated.

How does this experience speak to the depressed and discouraged travelers as well as the depressed and discouraged people of today?

According to the World Health Organization, over 350 million people around the world suffer from some form of depression. Long-term depression can lead to serious health problems. And, at its worse, depression can lead to suicide which is the cause of 1 million deaths each year. In recent months, the church has been forced to take a look at how it deals with depression. This is due in part to suicide being committed by pastors and children of pastors, as well as the seemingly consistent stream of reports which state that people who have carried out mass shootings, other criminal activity, including crashing a plane into a mountainside with 149 other people on board, suffer from some kind of depression or psychological illness.

So, depression is a real issue, and in our passage today, we find two depressed and discouraged individuals walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. One of these individuals is named Cleopas. Some have identified him as the husband of the "other Mary" who was at the cross as Jesus was being crucified. We do not know who his traveling companion is, but some have suggested that it is his wife. These two were on their way home from the Passover feast in Jerusalem which took place at the same time as Jesus' crucifixion. Luke tells us that they were traveling "that same day." This is referring to Sunday, the first Easter, after Mary, Mary Magdalene, Joanna and "other women" had gone to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus and found that the tomb was empty. The text indicates that Cleopas and his companion were with the disciples and others when the women came to tell them the good news, however, they, like the disciples, did not believe the report of the women. They are depressed, discouraged worried, and anxious about what has happened. As they are traveling, Jesus himself appears and begins walking with them, however, the Bible tells us that they do not recognize him. "Their eyes were holden that they should not know him" -- indicating that their inability to recognize Jesus was divinely orchestrated.

How does this experience speak to the depressed and discouraged travelers as well as the depressed and discouraged people of today?

Once again, we begin with a passage of Scripture that starts out by letting us know that something has happened before. Verse 14 of our passage begins with the word "afterward."

Before we get into the depths of this passage, allow me to share with you a story:

Ocean journeys by Polynesian, Chinese and Viking seamen proved that ancient mariners could successfully sail long distances without sighting land. Most ancient sailors, however, kept land in sight to assure their ability to return to it. Since a return was always essential to the success of an enterprise, as well as the enrichment of its sponsors, the sailors chose the safe course.

Before Christ, millions had experienced death. They all left, but none came back. What it was like out there, beyond life and human experience, no one ever returned to say. The world stood awestruck before the mystery behind the veil. Then Jesus came… though at first disappointingly, for he died like all the rest. But death couldn’t contain, let alone conquer him. He surrendered to death’s power to victimize it. Into its stifling depths he went to free all trapped inside their fears of it. From death’s grip he freed himself, and up from the grave he arose, exposing its emptiness and proving his victory over it!

The "afterward" in verse 14 of our passage is referring to the resurrection of Jesus Christ; the angel's appearance to Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Salome who had gone to the tomb; as well as Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene. The Bible tells us that the disciples were mourning and weeping when Mary Magdalene showed up to tell them that Jesus was alive. We are quickly informed, however, that "they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not." Later, two other disciples on the road to Emmaus were met by Jesus and talked with Him. When they realized who He was, "they went and told it" to the other disciples, but the Bible again informs us, "neither believed they them." So, we see that in the aftermath of Jesus' resurrection, there was still a lot of unbelief going on. The disciples didn't want to believe that Jesus Christ would have to die, and now that He was risen from the dead they refused to believe that as well.

So, when Jesus showed up in the flesh before all of them, you can imagine their shock and surprise. Jesus was disappointed in their unbelief. The Bible says he "upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." The word "upbraid" means to rebuke or reprimand.

Dear friend, have you ever doubted God's Word or His promises to you? Have you ever lost faith or stopped trusting in God and then felt terrible about it when the thing that God said He would do came to pass? Do you struggle with trusting God on a daily basis? If so, allow me to share with you how Jesus Christ responded to the unbelief of His disciples after He had been resurrected from the dead.

Jonathan Parnell said, "If Jesus is alive, then his inextinguishable life confirms that his death really did something. The resurrection means that Jesus’s death served a purpose he now will see to its maximal success. And therefore, the resurrection is the foundation to how the death of Jesus can impact our lives."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #121. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 which reads: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Henry M. Morris. He said, "Without the resurrection, it is quite certain there would have been no Christian church. With the ignominious death of their Master, His disciples were utterly confused and afraid for their own lives. There is no possibility that they could have continued as teachers of the Nazarene's doctrines, and even less that others could have been persuaded to follow them, in those circumstances. But with their assurance that Christ was alive, they went forth everywhere proclaiming the resurrection, and multitudes became believers in their Living Lord."

He is a professional NBA basketball player who currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks. He was selected by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2001 NBA draft. He previously played for the New Jersey Nets, the Milwaukee Bucks, the San Antonio Spurs, the Golden State Warriors, and the Utah Jazz. In 2002, he was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He was also a member of the USA men's national basketball team at the 2003 Tournament of the Americas and the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics.

His parents were both Christian missionaries, and he moved frequently throughout his young life. He said, "My life has always been a mix of church and basketball. But through tough moments and times of extreme growth, I still have confidence, not because of my athletic success but because of Philippians 4:13. 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' When I step out on the court I don’t believe there’s anybody I can’t guard, I don’t believe that there’s a shot that I can’t make."

He also said, "I don't think anyone can call themselves a finely-tuned Christian. It's an everyday struggle. I'm a perfectionist, and if I mess up I'll feel so guilty that I won't read my Bible, then it's a snowball effect. I really need to get to [that place of] consistency. I know God is teaching me, and I feel extremely blessed."

There is a thrilling chase scene in the movie "Lucy", in which the main character, also named Lucy, has commandeered a police car and is driving it through Paris at high speed with a frightened police officer in the passenger seat. At one point, the police officer says to Lucy, "I'd rather be late than dead." And, Lucy, replies, "We never really die."

Although "Lucy" is a science fiction film, and many of the scientific claims in the film are questionable, that statement is actually true. We never really die.

Of course, you will face physical death at some point. However, your body is not all there is to your existence. The really real part of you is your soul or your spirit. That part of you will never die. Your soul or spirit is what makes you really alive. When your body falls away, you will still exist. Psalm 22:26 states, "Your heart shall live for ever."

Perhaps you have heard stories of people who have died in car accidents and were later revived. Many of those people have reported "floating" above the scene of the accident and being able to see their body lying on the ground or on a stretcher with emergency medical personnel trying to revive them. At death, our spirits separate from our bodies. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says that when we die, "Then shall the dust [the body] return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

Our concern, dear friend, ought not to be whether we will live forever -- because we will -- but WHERE we will live forever. Our souls will end up in one of two places -- either in Heaven, a place of eternal happiness, joy, and peace, or Hell, a place of eternal suffering, pain, and remorse. Matthew 25:46 states that some will "go away into everlasting punishment" while others will go "into life eternal." Fortunately for us, we can decide where we will go to spend eternity. God has placed that ability in our hands. If you want to spend eternity in Heaven, allow me to show you how you can make that decision today.

Michael Green said, "The appearances of Jesus are as well authenticated as anything in antiquity…There can be no rational doubt that they occured, and that the main reason why Christians become sure of the resurrection in the earliest days was just this. They could say with assurance ‘We have seen the Lord.’ They knew it was he."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #120. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 19:29-30 which reads: "Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from C.S. Lewis. He said, "If the truth is that after there comes a negatively spiritual life, an eternity of mystical experience, what more misleading way of communicating it could possibly be found than the appearance of a human form which eats boiled fish? Again, on such a view, the body would really be a hallucination. And any theory of hallucination breaks down on the fact (and if it is invention, it is the oldest invention that ever entered the mind of man) that on three separate occasions this hallucination was not immediately recognized as Jesus."

John 15:5: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

In our last lesson, we talked about how we are in Christ now that we are saved. As John 15:5 says, we are the branches and Christ is the vine. However, not only are the branches in the vine, but the vine is also in the branches. After the branch is grafted into the vine, the very life of the vine begins to flow through it. This is what keeps the branch alive and causes it to bear fruit.

This teaches us that not only are we in Christ, but He is also in us. We have the very life of Christ in us. How can this be? Let us look at how Jesus Christ explained this to His disciples.

When He was here on earth, the Lord Jesus walked and talked with His disciples. They enjoyed the times they spent with Him. But, one day, He told them something that made them very sorrowful. He told them that He would soon be leaving them. But Jesus comforted His disciples with these words in John 14:16-17: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

Jesus promised that He would send the Holy Spirit to abide with them forever. And He would not just be with them, but He would be in them. Then He added these words: "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." So we see that the coming of the Holy Spirit would be the coming of the Lord Jesus Himself to live in them.

It was as if the Lord Jesus had said, "I am going away, but I am coming back to you in a new way. In the person of the Holy Spirit, I am coming to live in you, and I will never leave you." Jesus said, "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you."

Shortly after Jesus had spoken these words, He was crucified and buried. On the third day, He arose and appeared to His disciples in His resurrection body. After 40 days, He ascended back into Heaven where He was exalted to the highest place in the universe at the right hand of the father.

The Bible says: "[God] raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come."

For ten days after the ascension of the Lord Jesus, the disciples met together, praying and fasting. On the day of Pentecost, the Lord Jesus came back to His disciples in a new and wonderful way. He came to live in them. Acts 2 tells us that "when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost..." From that day on, whenever a person is born again, immediately the Spirit of Christ comes to dwell in him.

The Bible says in Galatians 4:6, "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts..." Christ lives in us by His Spirit so that we can truly say, "Christ lives in me."

Our passage starts out with the words "after these things." The things that the writer is referring to are the events of John chapter 20 which tell of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, His appearance to Mary Magdalene, and then His two appearances to the disciples -- one where Thomas was not present, and one where he was present. Several Bible scholars believe that our passage for today serves primarily as an appendix to the book of John. John Walvoord and Roy Zuck state, "Some critics have argued that this chapter is anticlimactic after the great conclusion in chapter 20..." However, one of John's purposes in this chapter is "to reveal how Jesus reinstated Peter after his great fall." It is probably not in chronological order, and was tacked on to the end of the book in order to show Peter's restoration to the group of disciples.

Simon Peter -- one of the more prominent disciples, a member of Jesus' inner circle, who had loudly and boldly proclaimed that he would never abandon Jesus Christ -- not only abandoned Jesus when He was arrested and taken to be crucified, but he denied Him three times and said that he didn't even know Him. I believe it is safe for us to call Peter a backslidden believer. Not only had he gone back on his word to the Lord, but now he was ready to go back on the occupation that Jesus Christ had called him and the other disciples to. He is ready to give up being a fisher of men and go back to being just a fisherman. The Bible tells us that he called Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, and two other disciples, and said, "I go a fishing."

Have you ever been at this place in your Christian life? Have you ever been a backslidden believer? Are you one now?

You made the decision to follow Jesus Christ, and you began to walk the straight and narrow way. But, somewhere along the way, you decide that you want to throw in the towel. Maybe it is because, like Peter, you feel like you let the Lord down. Maybe you feel like you cannot continue living as a Christian because of something terrible that you have done. Maybe you had different expectations about the Christian life and you are now discouraged and disappointed. Whatever the case, you either already have thrown in the towel or you are about to throw in the towel and go back to your old lifestyle. Either you already are or you are about to become a backslidden believer.

If you are that person today, please pay close attention, as I share with you what the resurrection of Jesus Christ means for the backslidden believer.

Our passage starts out with the words "after these things." The things that the writer is referring to are the events of John chapter 20 which tell of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, His appearance to Mary Magdalene, and then His two appearances to the disciples -- one where Thomas was not present, and one where he was present. Several Bible scholars believe that our passage for today serves primarily as an appendix to the book of John. John Walvoord and Roy Zuck state, "Some critics have argued that this chapter is anticlimactic after the great conclusion in chapter 20..." However, one of John's purposes in this chapter is "to reveal how Jesus reinstated Peter after his great fall." It is probably not in chronological order, and was tacked on to the end of the book in order to show Peter's restoration to the group of disciples.

Simon Peter -- one of the more prominent disciples, a member of Jesus' inner circle, who had loudly and boldly proclaimed that he would never abandon Jesus Christ -- not only abandoned Jesus when He was arrested and taken to be crucified, but he denied Him three times and said that he didn't even know Him. I believe it is safe for us to call Peter a backslidden believer. Not only had he gone back on his word to the Lord, but now he was ready to go back on the occupation that Jesus Christ had called him and the other disciples to. He is ready to give up being a fisher of men and go back to being just a fisherman. The Bible tells us that he called Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, and two other disciples, and said, "I go a fishing."

Have you ever been at this place in your Christian life? Have you ever been a backslidden believer? Are you one now?

You made the decision to follow Jesus Christ, and you began to walk the straight and narrow way. But, somewhere along the way, you decide that you want to throw in the towel. Maybe it is because, like Peter, you feel like you let the Lord down. Maybe you feel like you cannot continue living as a Christian because of something terrible that you have done. Maybe you had different expectations about the Christian life and you are now discouraged and disappointed. Whatever the case, you either already have thrown in the towel or you are about to throw in the towel and go back to your old lifestyle. Either you already are or you are about to become a backslidden believer.

If you are that person today, please pay close attention, as I share with you what the resurrection of Jesus Christ means for the backslidden believer.

Timothy Keller said, "If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #119. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 6:9 which reads: "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Charles Colson. He said, "I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible."

Today, we are continuing our survey of Israel's position in the end times. While God has had to deal harshly with Israel in the past, God has not abandoned them completely. As Paul makes clear in Romans 11:1-2, "Hath God cast away his people? God forbid... God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew." Although it may seem like God abandoned His people, you can rest assured that He has plans for them. We learned about one part of the plan last week.

That plan is for the Gentiles to be grafted into the family of God. God has ceased dealing with Israel for a time in order that non-Jews might have an opportunity to come into God's family -- that is what is happening right now during the Church Age. In this chapter, we saw that Paul informs us and his Gentile readers that we ought not to consider ourselves better than or more worthy than the Jews. Our new standing as Christians ought not to be a cause for contempt or disdain toward the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Paul explains that God, in his mercy, grace, and "goodness", is grafting us into His family. Our response ought to be that of humble gratitude and thankfulness.

Now, as we look further at this passage, we notice that God already has a time in mind for when He will begin dealing with the Jews again. Notice verse 25: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." In the Bible, a "mystery" is something that was at one time hidden or not fully understood by God's people, but is now being revealed to them. Often, when the New Testament uses the word "mystery", it is referring to something that was spoken of in the Old Testament but is just now -- in the New Testament era -- being fully revealed. Leon Morris writes that, in this passage, a mystery is not something that is "incomprehensible, [it is] not 'mysterious' in our sense of the term; it was something beyond us to discover, though we can understand it all right when God has made it known to us." God's complete plan of dealing with the Jews is one of those things that was a mystery in the Old Testament, yet God has chosen to make it known to us in the New Testament. Morris goes on to say that Paul wants his reader to know "that the place of Israel could not be worked out by the unaided human mind; if we are to understand it, it has to be made known by God. This revelation is so that we may not be conceited or 'wise in ourselves'."

Ravi Zacharias said, "Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #110. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 which reads: "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Paul Little. He said, "If Christ rose, we know for certainty that God exists, what he is like, and how we may know him in personal experience; the universe takes on meaning and purpose, and it is possible to experience the living God in contemporary life. These and many other things are true if Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. On the other hand, if Christ did not rise from the dead, Christianity is an interesting museum piece -- nothing more. It has no objective validity or reality. Though it is a nice wishful thought, it certainly isn't worth getting steamed up about. The martyrs who went singing to the lions, and contemporary missionaries who have given their lives in Ecuador and the Congo while taking this message to others, have been poor deluded fools."

John Piper said, "The Bible says he was raised not just after the blood-shedding, but by it. This means that what the death of Christ accomplished was so full and so perfect that the resurrection was the reward and vindication of Christ’s achievement in death."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #117. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 8:11 which reads: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Kenneth L. Woodward. He said, "Because Christianity’s influence is so pervasive throughout much of the world, it is easy to forget how radical its beliefs once were. Jesus’ resurrection forever changed Christians’ view of death. Rodney Stark, sociologist at the University of Washington, points out that when a major plague hit the ancient Roman Empire, Christians had surprisingly high survival rates. Why? Most Roman citizens would banish any plague-stricken person from their household. But because Christians had no fear of death, they nursed their sick instead of throwing them out on the streets. Therefore, many Christians survived the plague."

Joseph Scheumann said, "The resurrection is an already but not-yet reality for the Christian because of our union with Christ. Jesus’s resurrection means that those who have faith in him have been raised from the dead because they are in Christ, and yet we still await the full experience of the resurrection to come."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #116. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Corinthians 15:16-17 which reads: "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Richard Gaffin. He said, "As long as [Jesus] remained in a state of death, the righteous character of his work, the efficacy of his obedience unto death remained in question, in fact, was implicitly denied. Consequently, the eradication of death in his resurrection is nothing less than the removal of the verdict of condemnation and the effective affirmation of his righteousness."

A few weeks ago, we had the privilege of learning from Jesus' teaching on prayer in Matthew chapter 6. One of the negative things that He emphasized was the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day. Not only in prayer, but in fasting and in giving to the poor, they liked to stand in public places to be seen by others as they did their good deeds. Jesus rebuked that kind of behavior and commanded us to go to our closets and pray to our Father in secret.

In the passage that we are looking at today, we see Jesus Christ practicing what He preached -- getting alone with God and praying. His example is important for us to take heed to today because oftentimes, the only time we pray is when we are in church or when we are around other Christians. Many of us have not learned the habit of praying alone.

What are the benefits of praying alone?

First, we see from this passage that praying alone shows that you are serious about your prayer life. Directly preceding Jesus' private time of prayer, we learn from Matthew chapter 14 that Jesus had just been informed that Herod had beheaded John the Baptist. The Bible tells us that after John's disciples informed Jesus of this news, Jesus "departed thence by ship into a desert place apart." Perhaps Jesus was grieving John's death. Perhaps, even then, he wanted to get alone so He could pray and commune with His Father in Heaven. You can imagine that maybe John's beheading had brought to the forefront of Jesus' mind the death that He would have to face shortly.

Whatever the case, Jesus was not able to get alone as He wanted to at that time because the Bible tells us that "when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities." The multitudes came looking for Jesus, and the next verse tells us that Jesus "saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick." Jesus switched back to ministry mode in order to serve the people. He healed the sick. He taught the people. And, as the evening wore on and the multitude got hungry, he worked the miracle of feeding the 5,000 from just five loaves and two fishes. Jesus had been trying to get alone, but He ended up surrounded by a multitude of hungry people -- both physically and spiritually.

Finally, after a long day and evening of ministry, look at what Jesus did. The Bible tells us that "straightway [after feeding the people] Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone." After all that He had done that day, Jesus was determined to get alone so He could pray.

Peter Kreeft said, "By analogy with any other historical event, the resurrection has eminently credible evidence behind it. To disbelieve it, you must deliberately make an exception to the rules you use everywhere else in history."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #115. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 19:29-30 which reads: "Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Blaise Pascal. He said, "The apostles were either deceived or deceivers. Either supposition is difficult, for it is not possible to imagine that a man has risen from the dead. While Jesus was with them, he could sustain them; but afterwards, if he did not appear to them, who did make them act? The hypothesis that the Apostles were knaves is quite absurd. Follow it out to the end, and imagine these twelve men meeting after Jesus' death and conspiring to say that he has risen from the dead. This means attacking all the powers that be. The human heart is singularly susceptible to fickleness, to change, to promises, to bribery. One of them had only to deny his story under these inducements, or still more because of possible imprisonment, tortures and death, and they would all have been lost. Follow that out."

William Lane Craig said, "The significance of the resurrection of Jesus lies in the fact that it is not just any old Joe Blow who has been raised from the dead, but Jesus of Nazareth, whose crucifixion was instigated by the Jewish leadership because of his blasphemous claims to divine authority. If this man has been raised from the dead, then the God whom he allegedly blasphemed has clearly vindicated his claims. Thus, in an age of religious relativism and pluralism, the resurrection of Jesus constitutes a solid rock on which Christians can take their stand for God’s decisive self-revelation in Jesus."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #114. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 8:34 which reads: "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Bill Bright. He said, "The Resurrection proved that Christ was divine. The fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross does not prove in itself He is God. Jesus proved His deity by fulfilling the prophecies of His death and by His return from the grave. The Bible declares that 'by being raised from the dead Christ was proved to be the mighty Son of God, with the holy nature of God Himself'."

In 1996, the somewhat romantic comedy film "Jerry Maguire" was a smash hit at the box office. One of the most memorable scenes in the film is when Jerry tells his girlfriend, Dorothy, "I love you... You complete me." That phrase, or some variation of it, has been repeated probably millions of times by people who are searching for their soulmate or who think they have found that special someone. Perhaps, you have even said something similar once or twice yourself. Even married couples sometimes refer to their spouse as their "better half", implying that they are not whole without the other person.

At some point in our lives, everyone will feel a sense of emptiness or incompleteness. However, this does not indicate that we are simply in need of a romantic partner. In fact, many people who desire to be married and who are actively searching for someone to marry go through life single because they feel that they have never met that person who "completes" them. As relationship expert Jane Garapick says, those who are looking for someone to "complete them" often feel as though their life has no direction or purpose when they are not in a relationship or they have an emotional emptiness that they are looking for someone else to fill.

The problem with looking for someone else to "complete" you or fill a need in your life is that, often, that other person is looking for someone to "complete them" as well. They are looking to you to fill a need in their life! And there is no way two incomplete people can complete each other.

Today, I want to tell you about Someone whom you can find completeness in -- complete happiness, complete joy, complete contentment, complete peace, complete fulfillment, and complete assurance about your life today and your future. His name is Jesus Christ. And the Bible tells us that those who know Him "are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." Another translation of the same verse says that "you are filled [or fulfilled] in Him." In other words, once you have Jesus Christ, you do not need anyone else to fulfill you or complete you...

Antony Flew said, "The evidence for the resurrection is better than for claimed miracles in any other religion. It's outstandingly different in quality and quantity."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #113. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 6:9 which reads: "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John MacArthur. He said, "The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single greatest event in the history of the world. It is so foundational to Christianity that no one who denies it can be a true Christian. Without resurrection there is no Christian faith, no salvation, and no hope. 'If there is no resurrection of the dead,' Paul explains, 'not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain'. A person who believes in a Christ who was not raised believes in a powerless Christ, a dead Christ. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then no redemption was accomplished at the cross and 'your faith is worthless,' Paul goes on to say; 'you are still in your sins.'"

He plays the position of offensive lineman for the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. After high school, he played college football at the University of Alabama, started three BCS National Championship Games at three different positions in 2010, 2012, and 2013. After his 2011 season, he was recognized as a consensus All-American and won the Outland Trophy for being the best lineman in college football. After the 2012 season, he won the Rimington Trophy for being the best center in college football. He was chosen by the Rams during the 2013 NFL draft. In 2014, he was named one of the recipients of the Today's Top 10 Award, given annually by the NCAA to 10 outstanding student-athletes.

He said of his faith in Jesus Christ, "I was saved at a young age. I had really good parents who took me to church, and I started asking them why they went to church all the time and called themselves Christians. Once they explained it to me, I wanted to be a Christian too. Football has played a big part in my life and at times, it has been a big stumbling block. What I’ve learned is to make Jesus the Lord of your life. When I was growing up, sports were really everything. I focused on sports, and all I wanted to do was get a college scholarship. I really focused only on playing, practicing and working out in the off-seasons in sports. Pretty much everything I did was geared toward how I could be a better athlete. I spent the majority of my time on that."

"As I got into college, it was the same thing but even more so because we practiced so much more and worked out so much more. I really defined myself as an athlete more so than a Christian who happened to be an athlete. I got hurt one year, and God really started showing me that if this is the most important thing in your life, if this is what you’re putting all your emphasis on, you’re going to be empty. That’s something God has continued to teach me, especially when we won the national championship. I remember holding the crystal football and thinking to myself, ‘This is great, but it’s not going to fulfill me in life.’ It was such a short-lived feeling and that led me to realize that nothing was going to fulfill me but a relationship with Jesus Christ."

He went on to say, "As I read through the Bible, that’s evident throughout the whole Bible. John 6:35 says, ‘I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst.’ I think that verse describes what I’m talking about. Nothing can fill that void in your heart except a relationship with Jesus Christ. Even though I’m saved, I have to teach myself that daily, because I sometimes try to fill that void with other things like sports, school work, girls or whatever. Nothing is ever going to fulfill that but Christ; that’s just how we were designed."

Last week, we learned that while we are in the world, we are not of the world because we abstain from the evil that is in the world. As the Bible says, we do not allow ourselves to be overcome with evil. Today, I want us to look at how we are like Jesus in the world. Jesus describes His disciples, and us, with these words: "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, God gave you a new nature. In Colossians 3, we are told that we "have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." This new nature that we have is at odds with the world around us. After being saved, you almost certainly found that there were some things you used to do that you could not do anymore; there were some places you used to go and some people you used to go with that you could not go with any more. We used to be "of the world," but now that Christ is living in us, we are not longer of the world, and we cannot do many of the worldly things that we used to do.

That is the natural work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. We are slowly being transformed into the image and likeness of Christ. Second Corinthians 3:18 tells us that "we all are [being] changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." Romans 8:29 states that God has predestinated all of us "to be conformed to the image of his Son." What does it mean to be transformed and conformed? In his book, The Discipline of Grace, Jerry Bridges, writes: "Both words, transformed and conformed, have a common root, form, meaning a pattern or a mold. 'Being transformed' refers to the process; conformed refers to the finished product. Jesus is our pattern or mold. We are being transformed so that we will eventually be conformed to the likeness of Jesus. Sanctification or holiness (the words are somewhat interchangeable), then, is conformity to the likeness of Jesus Christ."

Ladies and gentlemen, we ought to look like Christ in our daily life in this world. The way we talk, work, and interact with others ought to demonstrate the Christ Who lives inside of us. One day, the great preacher and writer, A.W. Tozer, was walking down the street when he met a woman coming the other way on the sidewalk. As he and the woman drew closer together, he noticed that the woman was staring intently at his face. He thought that was odd, and he and the woman passed each other on the sidewalk without saying a word. However, when Tozer looked back, he saw that the woman was still staring at him. So, he went back to where she was standing and said, 'Lady, is there something I can do for you?' The woman said, 'No, I didn't mean to stare. But I have never seen a man whose face looked so much like the face of Jesus Christ.'

John 15:5: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

In our last lesson we learned the wonderful truth that we are IN CHRIST. Because we are in Christ, we have a new standing before God. God sees us as perfect in Christ.

In this lesson we are going to learn more about what happened when we were born again. Not only do we have a new standing before God, but we also have a new relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This new relationship can be expressed in two short sentences:

1. I am in Christ.
2. Christ is in me.

To help us understand this new relationship between Himself and the believer, the Lord Jesus used an illustration from nature. He said, "I am the Vine, you are the branches." The Lord Jesus is the Vine; the believers are the branches. So in this lesson when the "vine" is mentioned, let us think of the Lord Jesus; when the "branches" are mentioned, let us think of ourselves.

First, notice that the vine and the branches are one. They share one life. The same life that flows through the vine also flows through the branches.

This teaches us that we are one with the Lord Jesus. The Bible says, "He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." The very instant we receive the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, we are joined to Him. We are made part of Him. Just as the branches are joined to the vine, so we are joined to the Lord Jesus.

Now, notice how the branch is in the Vine. This teaches us that we are IN CHRIST. We have already learned this great truth—that we are in Christ—but now we see that our union with Him is a living union. As the branch is joined to the living vine, so we are joined to the living Lord Jesus Christ.

We were not always in Christ. Before we became a child of God, we were in Adam. We were joined to him. We shared his life, and we had his nature in us. But when we were saved, God took us out of Adam and grafted us into Christ.

To graft a branch means to take it out of one vine and join it to another vine. The branch is first cut away from the old vine. Then a cut is made in the new vine, and the branch is fitted into this cut place and securely bound. Soon the life of the new vine begins to flow through it, and the branch is joined to the new vine in a living union.

Now we can see what a wonderful thing God did for us. When we were born again, God took us out of Adam and grafted us into Christ. The Bible says, "But of Him [God] you are in Christ Jesus..."

We are now joined to the Lord Jesus Christ in a living union. He is the new Vine, and we are living branches in Him. We share His life and we have His nature in us. The Bible says that we are "partakers of the divine nature."

William Lane Craig said, "The fact that the Christian fellowship, founded on belief in Jesus’ resurrection, could come into existence and flourish in the very city where he was executed and buried seems to be compelling evidence for the historicity of the empty tomb."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #112. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 11:25 which reads: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Rob Bowman. He said, "Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus did not result merely in him accepting Jesus as the Jews’ Messiah. Instead, he saw himself, a trained and zealous Pharisee, as commissioned by Jesus to take the good news of the Messiah to uncircumcised Gentiles. The fact that Paul embraced such a calling against his former passionate beliefs and training makes any appeal to hallucination or delusion implausible."

On last week, we looked at an overview of God's plan for Israel in the end times. The main point we took away from that message was simply that God is not through with Israel yet. There are still promises to them that He intends to fulfill. The Bible gives us a glimpse of what the fulfillment of those promises will look like. And, today, I want us to look at the prediction that Israel will one day believe in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and be saved. The Jews rejected Jesus as their King when He came the first time. However, the Bible tells us that a day will come when they will turn to Jesus Christ and embrace Him as their Messiah, Savior, and King.

That is what Paul is writing about in Romans 11. He, of course, is writing to Gentile believers, and he is trying to get them to understand the privilege that it is for them to be counted as children of God. In his commentary on the New Testament, Leon Morris writes: "What then does it matter to belong to the chosen people? At first sight, it may seem not very much, for Gentiles may be saved as well as Jews. But it is far from Paul's thought that being a Jew matters little. He goes on to show that, while in the providence of God, Israel's sin and unbelief have been used to open up the way for the Gentiles, now the conversion of Gentiles will lead to the conversion of the Jews. The Jews still have a place in God's plan. Even the hardness of the Jews furthered that plan, but hardness is not God's last word for his chosen people. Paul looks forward to that great day when 'all Israel will be saved.'"

Now, we want to be clear that the church and Israel are separate. They are not the same. In the Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible, Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum explains this by saying, “There is no biblical evidence that the Church began either with Adam or Abraham, or that it existed in the Old Testament or during the earthly life of Christ. The first evidence that the church is distinct from Israel is the fact that the Church was born at Pentecost. This is based on the relationship of Spirit-baptism to the Church. According to Colossians 1:18, the Church is the body of Christ. First Corinthians 12:13 teaches that entrance into this body is by Spirit-baptism. But Acts 11:15-16 teaches that Spirit-baptism was not instituted until the Holy Spirit came upon the Jewish believers in Acts 2.” He goes on to give five other reasons why the church is distinct from Israel. Those are:

(1) The church could not be formed until the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. (2) The “mystery” of the Church is revealed in the New Testament and was not spoken of in the Old Testament. (3) The “body of Christ” is distinguished from both Israel and the Gentiles -- it is comprised of believing members from both. (4) Paul distinguishes the three groups from one another in 1 Corinthians -- Jews, Gentiles, and the Church of God. And (5), the term “Israel” is never used of the Church.

Gert L'demann said, "It may be taken as historically certain that Peter and the disciples had experiences after Jesus’ death in which Jesus appeared to them as the risen Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #111. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 16:21 which reads: "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Bill Bright. He said, "Many skeptics say that to believe in a risen Christ is nothing more than a blind leap of faith with little or no basis in truth. When confronted with the facts, however, those who are intellectually honest have been forced to admit that the Resurrection is an historical event based on irrefutable proofs."

Ravi Zacharias said, "Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #110. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 which reads: "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Paul Little. He said, "If Christ rose, we know for certainty that God exists, what he is like, and how we may know him in personal experience; the universe takes on meaning and purpose, and it is possible to experience the living God in contemporary life. These and many other things are true if Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. On the other hand, if Christ did not rise from the dead, Christianity is an interesting museum piece -- nothing more. It has no objective validity or reality. Though it is a nice wishful thought, it certainly isn't worth getting steamed up about. The martyrs who went singing to the lions, and contemporary missionaries who have given their lives in Ecuador and the Congo while taking this message to others, have been poor deluded fools."

So far, we have seen in this passage two things about how Jesus prayed for lost souls: (1) He did not just pray, but He was engaged in sharing the gospel and meeting their needs, and (2) He had genuine compassion for the lost. Today, in our last message on this passage, we see that Jesus Christ commands us to pray for laborers to enter the harvest of lost souls. He said, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."

There are over seven billion people in the world today, and only a third claim to be Christians. That means there are at least 4.7 billion people who are heading to an eternity without God.

First of all, we must look at sinners as Jesus looks at them. Jesus does not look at them as a lost cause, as hopeless and incapable of seeing the light. No, Jesus sees them as a harvest. He sees sinners as potential saints. How often do we look at someone and write them off thinking to ourselves that they will never get saved or that they are too far gone to listen to the gospel? Consider your own life and think about what would have happened if the person who led you to the Lord had looked at you and said, 'That person will never accept Christ. I won't even bother.'

What is your perspective on lost souls? Do you truly see them as a harvest? If you do, then you ought to be working to bring in the harvest. And since the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few, you should pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send more laborers into His harvest.

Simon Greenleaf said, "It was therefore impossible that the disciples could have persisted in affirming the truths they had narrated, had not Jesus actually risen from the dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #109. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 20:16-18 which reads: "Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from J. P. Moreland. He said, "Almost no New Testament scholar today denies that Jesus appeared to a number of his followers after his death. Some scholars interpret these as subjective hallucinations or objective visions granted by God which were not visions of a physical being. But no one denies that the believers had some sort of experience. The skeptical New Testament scholar Norman Perrin admitted: 'The more we study the tradition with regard to the appearances, the firmer the rock begins to appear upon which they are based.' Dunn, professor of divinity at the University of Durham, England, agrees: 'It is almost impossible to dispute that at the historical roots of Christianity lie some visionary experiences of the first Christians, who understood them as appearances of Jesus, raised by God from the dead.'"

William Lane Craig said, "The resurrection of Jesus is historical evidence of the highest quality, since it comes not from the Christians but from the very enemies of the early Christian faith."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #108. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 3:13-15 which reads: "The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from the Jewish historian, Josephus. He said, "And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day."

Canon Kennett said, "Within a very few years of the time of the crucifixion of Jesus, the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus was, in the mind of at least one man of education [the Apostle Paul], absolutely irrefutable."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #107. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 4:33 which reads: "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Henry Morris. He said, "It is a well-known rule of evidence that the testimonies of several different witnesses, each reporting from his own particular vantage point, provide the strongest possible evidence when the testimonies contain superficial contradictions that resolve themselves upon close and careful examination. This is exactly the situation with the various witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus."

"Empire" is one of the hottest shows on television this year. It tells the story of Lucious Lyon -- the owner of a massive music conglomerate called Empire Records. He grew up on the streets and sold drugs to survive as a young man, but eventually bankrolled his rap skills into music industry gold. Seventeen years after he got his start, Lucious is diagnosed with ALS and is given approximately three years to live. So, he turns his attention to securing his company's position at the top of the music world and grooming one of his three boys to be his successor. A ruthless king seeking to ensure his legacy, Lucious is building his empire and won't let anyone stand in his way.

Many of us can identify with Lucious' desire for success, fame, fortune, glory, and legacy. Deep inside of each of us is a yearning to do something great with our lives and have something to show for it long after we are gone. Yet, earthly riches and success can be elusive. Millions of people chase after success, fame, and fortune, even though they know they will leave it all behind when they die. King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said, 'There is a man who labors with wisdom, knowledge, and equity; yet to a man that has not labored shall he leave it all. This is vanity and a great evil.' In fact, this king, who was also one of the wealthiest people of his day, said, 'I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.'

When you think about it, it is really a waste of time to spend your life trying to build an empire on earth. First, you may never reach your goals; and, second, you will have to leave it all behind anyway.

However, what if I told you that there is a kingdom worth living for -- there is an empire worth building up. This empire is God's kingdom -- the kingdom of Heaven. This is what the Bible has to say about it: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Why spend your life gaining things you cannot keep when you could spend your life gaining things you cannot lose? If you spend your life in service to yourself -- always trying to get more and be more -- you may build up an empire on Earth, but it will all come tumbling down eventually. However, if you spend your life in service to Jesus Christ and others, you will be contributing to the Kingdom of God, and your riches and rewards will be stored in God's Kingdom. On top of that, Jesus Christ grants all those who believe in Him eternal life and a home in Heaven. In Heaven, you will have eternity to enjoy the fruits of your labors on Earth.

She is an English professional golfer who turned professional in 1983. That same years she joined the Ladies European Tour. Ten years later, she joined the U.S. based LPGA Tour and was rookie of the year in her first season. She made the top 100 on the LPGA Tour money list nine times. In 1989, she won the Open de France Dames and in 1991, she won the AGF Ladies' Open. She played a full tournament schedule until 2004, and now runs her own golf academy based in Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to that, she is a golf coach at Carson–Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee.

She said of her faith, "I grew up in a good family environment, playing lots of sports— especially golf. I attended the church of England, but I didn't understand how I could have a 'personal relationship' with Jesus. How could He hear me? Why would He listen? Another tour player told me about Jesus’ love. She shared of how I could repent or turn away from my sin and receive forgiveness in and through the person of Jesus Christ. I saw a daily difference in the lives of some Christians I knew. In 1983, wanting to know God in that same way, by faith through prayer I received Him as my Savior and Lord. God does listen and care! He answers my prayers. He is in my life—in my heart, in my mind, and in my friendships. He has even shown me ways that I can give back and experience greater fulfillment than I find in sinking a putt. He is always with me."

Josh McDowell said, "If the resurrection-claim was merely because of a geographical mistake, the Jewish authorities would have lost no time in producing the body from the proper tomb, thus effectively quenching for all time any rumored resurrection."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #106. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 20:17-19 which reads: "And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from E. M. Blaiklock. He said, "I claim to be a historian. My approach to Classics is historical. And I tell you that the evidence for the life, the death, and the resurrection of Christ is better authenticated than most of the facts of ancient history."

"In the world, but not of the world," is a common phrase among Christians, but what does it really mean? The answer to this question has important implications for how we live our lives every day. A famous depiction of Christians being in the world but not of it is found in the description of Vanity Fair in Pilgrim's Progress.

The happenings in Vanity Fair are a symbol of the nature of the world. The devil puts a great deal into making the world appear attractive, colorful, and dazzling. He keeps millions of poor souls enslaved in the pursuits of this life. And, as the wisest man who ever lived said, it turns out to be nothing but vanity, vexation of spirit, and a chasing after the wind.

Yet, as Christians, we are to live in this world of vanity. In our passage for today, Jesus Christ is praying for His disciples -- and, by extension, all believers -- as He is on His way to be crucified in Jerusalem. I will be dealing with Jesus' entire prayer in a future message in our Praying Through the Bible Series, but today, I want us to look at Jesus' words which shed light on how we should live as Christians in a world of vanity.

The first thing we see in Jesus' prayer is that we are to abstain from evil. He says, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." Many Christians have the idea that the only way they can be free from the evil in the world is to be separated from the world. To that end, we build walls around our Christian communities, we cloister ourselves in Christian ghettoes, and we never interact with those who do not yet know Christ. In other words, we confuse sanctification with separation.

Jesus emphatically rejects the idea that we are to be separated from the world. He does not pray that God would take us out of the world. In fact, He later commands us to "go ye into all the world." Rather, Jesus prays that we would be separated from the evil in the world.

Today, we are going to talk briefly about how we can strive to live a holy life.

In His Word, God has told us that we are to "walk" by faith. This means that we are to count on what we are in Christ. The Bible says, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him."

When we see that we are "holy in Christ," we ought to become holy in our everyday life. When we see that we are "saints in Christ Jesus" we ought to begin to live as saints should live. When we see that we are truly "the children of God," we ought to begin to live as children of God should live. As we count on what we are in Christ, the Holy Spirit makes it real in our life.

One of the secrets of a strong Christian life is a daily "Quiet Time." This is a time spent alone with God in the study of His Word and in prayer. Here are some suggestions that will help you to form the habit of a daily Quiet Time.

1. Time and Place. Choose a time that is good for you. Early morning is the best time for most people. Choose a place where you can be alone. This might mean getting up in the morning before everyone else in the family. After you choose a time and place, stick to them.

2. The Bible. Have a plan for reading. Read the Gospel of John first. After you have finished John, begin with the Gospel of Matthew and read right through the whole New Testament. As you open your Bible to read, first close your eyes and talk to God. Confess your sins; ask Him to speak to your heart through His Word as you read it. Remember that you are in His presence.

3. Prayer. After reading and listening for God to speak to your heart through His Word, take time to pray. Thank Him for His word to you; thank Him for His blessings—name them, one by one. Thank Him for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sins. Thank Him for answering your prayers. Thank Him most of all for the Lord Jesus, your Saviour.

Do you want to ask for something? Tell Him the desires of your heart. He listens to every request.

Remember to pray for your family and friends. It is good to make a list of those for whom you are praying.

Do you really want to know God? Do you really want to be holy as He is holy? Then you must spend time alone with Him.

Israel is a very important part of God's plan for the end times. As we look at what is happening in the world today, we can easily see that Israel -- a tiny country, no bigger than the state of New Jersey, bordered by hostile nations to the north, east, and south -- is a focal point of world affairs. And Israel is poised to become even more important as time goes on. For example, there is talk now that because of the recent discovery of oil in Israel's territorial waters, Israel could become a major fuel supplier to Europe at a time when Russia has threatened to cut off the gas supply to Europe because of the conflict in Ukraine. All throughout history, God has had a plan for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Jews have been at the center of some of the most important events in history. It is only fitting that Israel will play a major role in the end times.

Our passage today is taken from the final speech which Moses gave to the children of Israel just before they passed into the Promised Land. Of course, Moses would not go with them, but he reminded them of their duty to God, what would happen to them if they disobeyed God, and what God promised them if they repented and returned to him.

Contrary to what some believe, God did not abandon Israel when the church age began. God still has a plan for Israel. That plan has been slowly moving forward, particularly with the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948 and the regathering of Jewish people from around the world in their homeland. For the time being, however, God has opened the doors of the covenant so that Gentiles -- non-Jews -- can be saved and can experience and benefit from the blessings of God as well.

So, what does God have planned for His chosen people in the end times? What can we learn about the role of the Jewish people in the last days?

Brooke Foss Westcott said, "Raking all the evidence together, it is not too much to say that there is no historic incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #105. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Mark 8:31 which reads: " And he [Jesus] began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Thomas Arnold. He said, "I have been used for many years to study the histories of other times, and to examine and weigh the evidence of those who have written about them, and I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great sign which God hath given us that Christ died and rose again from the dead."

Watchman Nee said, "Christ is the Son of God who died for the redemption of sinners and resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #104. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 17:31 which reads: "Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John MacArthur. He said, "The truth of the resurrection gives life to every other area of gospel truth. The resurrection is the pivot on which all of Christianity turns and without which none of the other truths would much matter. Without the resurrection, Christianity would be so much wishful thinking, taking its place alongside all other human philosophy and religious speculation."

Paul Althus said, "The resurrection proclamation could not have been maintained in Jerusalem for a single day, for a single hour, if the emptiness of the tomb had not been established as a fact."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #103. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 which reads: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from C.S. Lewis. He said, "To preach Christianity meant (to the Apostles) primarily to preach the Resurrection. The Resurrection is the central theme in every Christian sermon reported in the Acts. The Resurrection, and its consequences, were the 'gospel' or good news which the Christians brought."

In our last message, we saw clearly that Jesus Christ was not only engaged in praying for more laborers and recruiting more laborers for the harvest field of lost souls, but, unlike many of the religious leaders of His day, He was out in the harvest fields preaching the Gospel Himself.

Today, we notice that another quality which we see in the life of Jesus is His compassion for others. The Bible says, "when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." Ask yourself, when you think about the sinful masses in our world, do you have compassion on them in your heart?

The word used for moved with compassion is the strongest word for pity in Greek. One commentator noted that "it describes the compassion which moves a man to the deepest depths of his being." Charles Spurgeon states: "The original word is a very remarkable one. It is not found in classic Greek. It is not found in the Septuagint. The fact is, it was a word coined by the evangelists themselves. They did not find one in the whole Greek language that suited their purpose, and therefore they had to make one" to describe the compassion that Jesus Christ had in His heart for lost souls. According to the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, this word originally referred to the inner parts of a man -- the heart, the liver, and the intestines. Jesus' compassion was not a superficial, mind-based recognition of the needs of lost sinners, but a real, heart-felt conviction.

What kind of attitude do you have when you read the news or watch TV and are presented with sinful lifestyles? Do you become judgmental? Do you think of them as "those sinners" forgetting that you were once one and would still be one except for God's grace? Do you avoid places where "sinners" hang out? Are you quick to condemn or quick to show compassion? Henry Ward Beecher said, "Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation."

John R.W. Stott said, "Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #102. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 8:34 which reads: "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Watchman Nee. He said, "Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection."

A.W. Tozer said, "Holiness, as taught in the Scriptures, is not based upon knowledge on our part. Rather, it is based upon the resurrected Christ in-dwelling us and changing us into His likeness."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #101. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 8:11 which reads: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Peter Marshall. He said, "No tabloid will ever print the startling news that the mummified body of Jesus of Nazareth has been discovered in old Jerusalem. Christians have no carefully embalmed body enclosed in a glass case to worship. Thank God, we have an empty tomb. The glorious fact that the empty tomb proclaims to us is that life for us does not stop when death comes. Death is not a wall, but a door."

Timothy Keller said, "If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #100. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 6:9 which reads: "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Brooke Foss Wescott. He said, "There is no historic incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ."

He is a former professional baseball player. Over his 11 year career, he played for the Texas Rangers, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the New York Mets as well as the Montreal Expos and the Baltimore Orioles. He currently holds the Major League record for RBIs in an inning, becoming the only player in MLB history to hit two gran slam home runs in one inning during a 1999 game. He played his last game in 2010 before officially retiring in 2014. In 2008, he received The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award for the National League and was named to the Dominican Republic national baseball team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

In an interview with CBN, he said of his faith, "In those difficult moments in my life, I pray. I pray and continue to pray. I know that God has the answer. Not in the moment that I want, but I know in His moment, because I know that His moment is going to be the right moment....I’m different, because I’m a Christian. Every Christian should be different. Faith is everything. If you put God in your heart and ask Him, ‘I want the real deal,’ God is going to answer you. He’s going to support you. It’s the best relationship ever. More than your wife, your mother, you father. Jesus is going to support you in every moment of your life."

What if there were a theory that explained everything -- the universe, human life, where we come from, and where we are going?

Stephen Hawking, the famous English physicist and cosmologist, dedicated many years of his life to the answer to that question. He believes that there is such a theory -- that an equation in physics can explain everything about the universe. The film, The Theory of Everything, depicts some of Hawking’s quest to discover such an equation. Hawking went on to develop the Big Bang theory about the creation of the universe as well as theories that explained the beginning of time. He also went on to write the best selling book, A Brief History of Time.

However, the film also depicts something that is not as easily definable, but that is far more important -- his relationship with his wife, Jane, and her unyielding commitment to him and her amazing love for him even though a disease called ALS was ravaging his body, causing it to fold in on itself, and rendering him unable to do anything beyond speak and think. While most of us probably could not grasp complex theories of how the universe and time came to be, we can understand -- although we may not be able to define -- how love works. Their love for each other is what kept Stephen and Jane together for many years despite the hurdles they had to overcome.

Sadly and unfortunately, Stephen Hawking says he does not believe in God, and therefore he does not believe in God’s love even though he has experienced it through his wife Jane who is a Christian. “God is love.” “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

One of the reasons why we are doing this podcast today is because this preacher has gained a new love and respect for Stephen Hawking, and it is my prayer that he would humble himself and believe in God and trust His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that he will receive this message that God is love and accept the fact that he has experienced God’s love through his wife, Jane.

If you will, Mr. Hawking, I have a theory. My theory is that God gave you a mind that He has not given many others. I believe God made you to show the world scientifically, through the so-called Big Bang theory, that indeed God made the universe. He made you to confess that to the world scientifically and mathematically. But when He saw that you were refusing to do that, He loved you so much that He allowed your body to be crippled, but He kept your mind intact because He saw that you were not going in that direction. He gave you a most loving wife. Most husbands would appreciate just ten percent of the love that that Christian lady, Jane, showed you. He did everything, and He is doing everything right now. He has spared your life when you know you should have been dead long ago. You have been living on nothing but love. God loves you, Stephen Hawking, and He wants you to believe in Him. He wants you to trust Christ as Savior before you die lest you go to Hell. And He wants you to confess to the world that He created the universe.

The Bible tells us of one demonstration of love that exceeds all others. In the Gospel of John it reads, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” It is a brave and selfless thing for someone to choose to live with, love, and care for someone who cannot take care of himself. You might never imagine that someone would do such a thing for you. And, indeed, with the selfishness that is common in human nature, you would be hard pressed to find someone willing to do such a thing...

Padre Sahib said, "We have no tomb in Christianity because we have no corpse."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #99. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 19:29-30 which reads: "Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Charles Swindoll. He said, "The benefits of the resurrection are innumerable. To list a few: Our illnesses don't seem nearly so final; Our fears fade and lose their grip; Our grief over those who have gone on is diminished; Our desires to press on in spite of the obstacles is rejuvenated; Our identity as Christians is strengthened as we stand in the lengthening shadows of saints down through the centuries, who have always answered back in antiphonal voice: 'He is risen, indeed!'"

TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."

Last week, we began talking about how we ought to relate to our pastors and the other leaders whom God has placed over us in the faith. We learned from this passage in First Thessalonians that we ought to show appreciation for those leaders who demonstrate the following three characteristics: (1) they are called by God to their position, (2) they have the spirit of true servanthood, and (3) they are willing to admonish, correct, and warn you about negative behavior and temptations.

In the classic story Pilgrim's Progress, the role of the pastor is fulfilled by a man named Evangelist. As you will recall, the two pilgrims, Christian and Faithful, were met by Evangelist as they traveled together to the Celestial City.

We thank God for those evangelists and pastors who come alongside us to instruct us, encourage us, and warn us about the road ahead. Today, we are going to look at the rest of this passage as we consider how God wants us to treat our spiritual leaders. The Bible tells us "to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake."

The word esteem means to regard, to consider, or to reckon. It describes a mental process by which one evaluates and determines the worth of a person or thing. This verse is telling us to regard God-ordained spiritual leadership "very highly" in our minds. Perhaps, the reason why the mind is emphasized here is because Paul did not want the Christians to just esteem their leaders "very highly" with their mouths, while at the same time not truly respecting and loving them in their hearts and minds. Just as you would not want someone to tell you they love you and not really mean it, God does not want us to honor and respect pastors and other spiritual leaders only with our mouths. He wants us to have the right attitude toward them in our hearts as well.

2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

In our last lesson, we looked at some of the blessings that are now ours because we are in Christ.

1. We are forgiven.
2. We are justified.
3. We are made near to God.
4. We are accepted by God.
5. We are made holy.
6. Our eternal destiny is sealed and secure in Christ.
7. We are complete in Christ.

Does all of this mean that we will never sin again? No, it does not. In the letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Corinth, we find some things that seem hard to understand. On the one hand, Paul calls these believers "saints," and he says that they are "sanctified (holy) in Christ Jesus." On the other hand, in the same letter, Paul speaks of some terrible sins in their lives. Some of them were proud; some fought among themselves; and some of them were guilty of immoral acts.

How could Paul say that they were "holy in Christ" while at the same time they were not living as Christians should live? To answer these questions, we must understand the difference between our standing and our state.

What is our STANDING? Our standing is the way God sees us in Christ. It includes all that God has done for us in Christ. God has given us a perfect standing in Christ.

Is our standing always perfect? Yes, it is. Why? Because it depends on what God has done for us in Christ. We are IN CHRIST, and God sees us as perfect in Him. Hebrews 10:14 says, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Now, what is our STATE? Our state is the way we live on the earth. The Bible calls it our "walk." Is our state ever perfect? No, it is not. Why? Because it depends on what we are in ourselves. We are sinful. The Bible says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

It will help us in our Christian life if we remember that our STANDING is the way God sees us in Christ, while our STATE is the way we live on the earth. In Christ we are always perfect in God's sight; in ourselves, we are sinful.

Does this mean that we are to be satisfied with our sins? No, it does not! God wants our day to day living to come up to our standing in Christ. We are "holy in Christ"; God wants us to be holy in our everyday living. The Bible says, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (or lifestyle).

How can we be holy? In His Word, God has told us that we are to "walk" by faith. This means that we are to count on what we are in Christ. Colossians 2:6 says, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him."

When we see that we are "holy in Christ," we become holy in our everyday life. When we see that we are "saints in Christ Jesus" we begin to live as saints should live. When we see that we are truly "the children of God," we begin to live as children of God should live. As we count on what we are in Christ, the Holy Spirit makes it real in our life.

Today, in our final message on this passage, we are going to look at the end result of all of those who persist in the depraved activity described in this passage, and particularly at what will become of the false teachers who lead others astray. Paul likens these teachers to Jannes and Jambres -- the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses when he came to Pharaoh saying, "Let my people go." Now, these magicians -- and these false teachers -- were not just pulling tricks on people. They were able to work real miracles, but by the power of darkness and not the power of God. When Moses cast down his rod and it turned into a serpent, the magicians did the same. When Moses smote the waters of the Nile and frogs came forth, the Egyptian magicians did the same. However, Moses' serpent ate the serpents of the Egyptians, showing God's power to be superior to the powers of darkness that the Egyptians subscribed to. And, after the plague of frogs, the Egyptian magicians were not able to produce any of the other plagues that Moses produced by the power of God.

The Bible warns us that in the end times "there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." These signs and wonders will be real and will be wrought by the power of Satan. The false teachers of today are the forerunners of these false Christs and false prophets. The Bible tells us three things about them: (1) they resist the truth, (2) they have corrupt minds, and (3) they are reprobate concerning the faith.

Herbert Booth Smith said, "The biggest fact about Joseph's tomb was that it wasn't a tomb at all - it was a room for a transient. Jesus just stopped there...on His way back to glory."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #98. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Corinthians 15:16-17 which reads: "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Eric Sauer. He said, "The cross is the victory, the resurrection is the triumph. The resurrection is the public display of the victory, the triumph of the crucified one."

Sam Morris said, "The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it does not contain."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #97. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Mark 16:6 which reads: "And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Piper. He said, "The point is not that the resurrection is the price paid for our sins. The point is that the resurrection proves the death of Jesus is an all-sufficient price. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then his death was a failure, God did not vindicate his sin-bearing achievement, and we are still in our sins."

Clarence W. Hall said, "Easter says you can put truth in the grave but it won't stay there."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #96. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 19:5-6 which reads: "Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Robert Flatt. He said, "The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances."

TEXT: Matthew 9:35-38: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."

In recent years, Christian missions organizations have identified a part of the globe that they refer to as the 10/40 Window. According to the Christian Broadcasting Network, "The 10/40 Window is a rectangular-shaped area extending from West Africa to East Asia, from ten degrees north to forty degrees north of the equator. Often called 'The Resistant Belt,' this specific region, encompasses the majority of the world's Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists -- billions of spiritually impoverished souls." Two-thirds of the world's population lives in this region made up of 67 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and many of them have not heard the Gospel -- not even one time.

Evangelism researchers have estimated that two million people search for God on the internet every day. It is true today, even as it was in Jesus' day, that the harvest truly is plentiful, and I hope that you pray regularly for souls to be saved. However, let's consider how we can tackle this issue even more effectively like Jesus did.

First, we see from our passage that we ought to be busy working for the salvation of lost souls. The Bible states, "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." Jesus was busy. He was on the move -- talking, teaching, preaching, and working for the salvation of lost souls.

The Jewish historian Josephus tells us that the area of Galilee in which Jesus preached was about 40 miles wide and 70 miles long. There were around 200 cities and villages in that region. In the smallest of the cities, there were about 15,000 people. If we extrapolate that number out, we can conclude that there were at least 3 million people in Galilee at that time. And, the Bible tells us that Jesus went into "all the cities and villages" to preach the Gospel.

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #95. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 6:4 which reads: "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from William R. Newell. He said, "Thus Christ, now risen and glorified, is Himself the righteousness of believers. It is the Risen Christ who is our righteousness. Christianity begins at the resurrection. The work of the cross of course made Christianity possible; but true Christianity is all on the resurrection side of the cross. 'He is not here, but is risen,' the angel said."

Billy Graham said, "The entire plan for the future has its key in the resurrection."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #94. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 11:25 which reads: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from W.H. Rogers. He said, "The Church has its existance by virtue of the death and resurrection of Jesus. He was the first to emerge from death's dark dominions, as the One on Whom death had no claim, and over Whom the grave had no power."

Adrian Rogers said, "The resurrection is not merely important to the historic Christian faith; without it, there would be no Christianity. It is the singular doctrine that elevates Christianity above all other world religions."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #93. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 10:9 which reads: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John MacArthur. He said, "If Christ was not raised, His death was in vain, your faith in Him would be pointless, and your sins would still be counted against you with no hope of spiritual life."

Josh McDowell said, "After more than 700 hours of studying this subject, I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is either one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted on the minds of human beings--or it is the most remarkable fact of history."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #92. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 1:3 which reads: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from R. A. Torrey. He said, "Gospel preachers nowadays preach the gospel of the Crucifixion, the Apostles preached the gospel of the Resurrection as well. The Crucifixion loses its meaning without the Resurrection. Without the Resurrection, the death of Christ was only the heroic death of a noble martyr; with the Resurrection, it is the atoning death of the Son of God. It shows that death to be of sufficient value to cover our sins, for it was the sacrifice of the Son of God."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

He is an American volleyball player on the United States men's national volleyball team. He played on the AVP tour from 2000 to 2006 and then resumed it in 2009. He led the U.S. National Team to a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. In 1998 and 1999, he earned AVCA second-team All-America honors. And in 2013, he was named "Most Valuable Player" of the Men's CEV Cup in the European CEV Cup volleyball club tournament.

He said of his faith, "I grew up in a family of faith, so I was introduced at an early age to the reality of God and Jesus. I didn't question it. After college, however, the more I studied, the more I began to question everything. I didn't take anything at face value. But I remember, in my most skeptical moment, I couldn't get past the awe and wonder of creation and the reality of God."

He continued, "Just as my faith is a process, so too is my understanding of what it means to be a Christian athlete. I believe that God is most glorified when I use the gifts He has given me to the best of my ability. He has given us all special gifts and I believe it brings Him pleasure when those gifts are used to the maximum. To me this means that I can compete to win with utmost intensity and it can glorify Him. Faith and life with God is a daily process and God communicates with me throughout the process...God has used the sport of volleyball to teach me how to be a better man. It is my hope that as I compete and try to excel and be the best player and teammate that I can be, that God will be pleased and glorified. This is a great reminder at the beginning of a new season to pursue greatness (no matter what you are doing) in the name of God and clinging to the strength He provides. Not with the end goal of winning—though it can be a goal and is a part of the process—but rather to become more like God and glorify Him."

This past week, actor Leonard Nimoy passed away. He is best known for his role as Mr. Spock in the original Star Trek television series as well as several movie spin-offs. He was beloved by multitudes of fans for portraying the half-human, half-Vulcan first officer of the starship Enterprise. As a Vulcan, Spock dedicated himself to living by perfect logic with no emotions or feelings affecting his decisions or actions. In many of the Star Trek shows and films, Spock is often in conflict with Captain James T. Kirk and other members of the Enterprise crew because of how he looks at situations in a purely logical way while others are influenced by their emotions and passions.

Considering that logical thinking is indeed a powerful way to determine the best course of action when critical decisions have to be made, I would like to apply this principle to a matter of critical importance to you and every other human on planet Earth. That matter is the issue of where you will spend eternity after you die.

If you would like to go to Heaven, here is a logical explanation of how you can get there. You might think that it is complicated and confusing, but I will show you that it is quite simple and logical.

Thomas Jefferson said, "I hold the precepts of Jesus as delivered by himself, to be the most pure, benevolent, and sublime which have ever been preached to man. I adhere to the principles of the first age; and consider all subsequent innovations as corruptions of this religion, having no foundation in what came from Him."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #91. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 8:10 which reads: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Phillips Brooks. He said, "Feed on Christ, and then go and live your life, and it is Christ in you that lives your life, that helps the poor, that tells the truth, that fights the battle, and that wins the crown."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."

The New Testament has much to say about the responsibility of a pastor to his people. The pastor is a representation of who Jesus Christ was to His disciples. Just as Jesus Christ won men to himself, trained them, and then sent them out to do His will, it is the job of every pastor to win people to the Lord, train or disciple them, and then send them out to fulfill God's plan for their Christian lives. The pastor is sometimes referred to as an undershepherd who serves a smaller flock under the leadership of the Great Shepherd who is over the entire body of believers.

The role of undershepherd is portrayed in Pilgrim's Progress by the man named Evangelist who appears several times in the classic story. Evangelist not only preaches the Gospel in the city of Destruction, but he comes alongside those who are on the way to the Celestial City to instruct them, warn them of temptation, and tell them what lies on the road ahead.

Each of us from time to time in our Christian walk can be classified as "needy pilgrims" -- especially those of us who are young pilgrims, that is, those who are new to the Christian faith or "babes in Christ." When I was a young Christian, I wanted to learn as much as I could about God, about Jesus Christ, about the Bible, and about how all of that was brought to bear on my new life in Christ. The people who provide that knowledge and help us along in our Christian faith are those whom God has called to be pastors or undershepherds. How does Scripture tell us we ought to relate to our pastors?

TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."

The New Testament has much to say about the responsibility of a pastor to his people. The pastor is a representation of who Jesus Christ was to His disciples. Just as Jesus Christ won men to himself, trained them, and then sent them out to do His will, it is the job of every pastor to win people to the Lord, train or disciple them, and then send them out to fulfill God's plan for their Christian lives. The pastor is sometimes referred to as an undershepherd who serves a smaller flock under the leadership of the Great Shepherd who is over the entire body of believers.

The role of undershepherd is portrayed in Pilgrim's Progress by the man named Evangelist who appears several times in the classic story. Evangelist not only preaches the Gospel in the city of Destruction, but he comes alongside those who are on the way to the Celestial City to instruct them, warn them of temptation, and tell them what lies on the road ahead.

Each of us from time to time in our Christian walk can be classified as "needy pilgrims" -- especially those of us who are young pilgrims, that is, those who are new to the Christian faith or "babes in Christ." When I was a young Christian, I wanted to learn as much as I could about God, about Jesus Christ, about the Bible, and about how all of that was brought to bear on my new life in Christ. The people who provide that knowledge and help us along in our Christian faith are those whom God has called to be pastors or undershepherds. How does Scripture tell us we ought to relate to our pastors?

2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

In our last lesson series we learned that there are now two families in the world—the family of Adam and the family of Christ. God sees us as being IN ADAM if we are in Adam's family. If we are in Christ's family, He sees us as being IN CHRIST.

To be in Adam is to share in all that Adam was and did. By nature we were all in Adam—separated from God and slaves of sin and Satan. But when we were born again, God put us in Christ. We could not do this ourselves, but God did it for us.

The most precious phrase in the whole Bible is the little phrase, "In Christ." This phrase or its equivalent is used over 130 times in the New Testament! Here are some verses that tell us of our new position in Christ:

1 Corinthians 1:30 says, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."

Ephesians 1:3-4 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.“

Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new."

1 John 5:20 says, "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

Colossians 1:14 says, "IN WHOM we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins."

Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

1 Corinthians 1:2 says, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours."

Did you notice the words "in Christ," "in Him," and "in whom"? As you read the New Testament, you will find these words used many times.

To be in Christ is to share in all that Christ is and all that He did. The Bible says that God has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings IN CHRIST." We are going to consider some of the blessings that are ours because we are in Christ.

Today, we turn our attention to verse six which reads: "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts." This verse begins with the connecting word "for," indicating that we must look back at the previous verse in order to fully understand what verse six is saying. As you recall, on last week, we talked about those people in the church who appear to have righteous and holy lives, but who inwardly are filled with sin and self. Often and unfortunately, these people who just have a form of godliness gain leadership positions in the church or in a local congregation. They then use their influence to deceive and lead astray others in the body of Christ. These are the people who are doing the "creeping" spoken of in verse six.

Back in the second century AD, one of the early church fathers by the name of Irenaeus reported the actions of a heretic by the name of Marcus. This heretic practiced magic and tried to get Christians to get involved in the practice of magic. Irenaeus reported that Marcus devoted "himself especially to women, and those such as are well-bred, and elegantly attired, and of great wealth." Marcus told these women that by his spells and incantations he could enable them to prophesy. In one particular instance, a woman protested that she has never done so and could not do so. Marcus told her, "Open thy mouth, speak whatsoever occurs to thee, and thou shalt prophesy." The woman, thrilled to the heart, did so and was deluded into thinking that she could prophesy. Irenaeus said the woman 'then made the effort to reward Marcus, not only by the gift of her possessions (in which way he had collected a very large fortune), but also by yielding up to him her person, desiring in every way to be united to him, that she may become altogether one with him.'

In our passage today, Paul warns Timothy to be extra careful of such false teachers. A closer look at verse six tells us why this warning is necessary. It is necessary because these false teachers will "creep" into the body of Christ. The Greek word translated "creep" is "enduno." It has been translated: to craftily sneak, to work their way into, to go secretly, to worm into, or to insinuate. In other words, many of these false teachers who only have a form of godliness will not walk into the front door of the church. They will not stand up in the pulpit on Sunday morning and preach their false doctrine. Rather, they will slowly start to influence the church members outside of the church. They will invite or accept an invitation to dinner with one of the families in the church and begin to little-by-little influence this person or a small group of people to adopt their way of thinking.

John Henry Jowett said, "We get no deeper into Christ than we allow Him to get into us."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #90. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 28:18 which reads: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Matthew Arnold. He said, "Try all the ways to peace and welfare you can think of, and you will find that there is no way that brings you to it except the way of Jesus. But this way does bring it to you."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

St. Augustine of Hippo said, "Jesus Christ will be Lord of all or He will not be Lord at all."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #89. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 3:3 which reads: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Chris Lyons. He said, "Jesus says, 'I love you just the way you are. And I love you too much to let you stay the way you are.'"

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Charles H. Spurgeon said, "I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #88. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 5:1 which reads: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from J. Sidlow Baxter. He said, "Fundamentally, our Lord’s message was Himself. He did not come merely to preach a Gospel; He himself is that Gospel. He did not come merely to give bread; He said, 'I am the bread.' He did not come merely to shed light; He said, 'I am the light.' He did not come merely to show the door; He said, 'I am the door.' He did not come merely to name a shepherd; He said, 'I am the shepherd.' He did not come merely to point the way; He said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.'"

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Clarence Sexton said, "Our desire is to know Christ, not simply to know about Him."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #87. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Isaiah 7:14 which reads: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Nicky Cruz. He said, "Jesus Christ has paid the price to set the prisoners free—and that is the passion that drives me."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

We are continuing our in-depth look at the six parts of what is called the Lord's prayer. As a reminder, those six essential parts are as follows:

1. We praise and recognize God.
2. We put God's will before ours.
3. We ask for our daily needs.
4. We confess our sins and ask for forgiveness of sin.
5. We ask God to deliver us from temptation and evil.
6. We praise and recognize God's glory once again.

We have already looked at the first five building blocks of this prayer -- "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name", "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," "Give us this day our daily bread...," "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," and "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Today, we are going to look at the final building block in which Jesus Christ teaches us to pray, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

This final part of the Lord's prayer tells us the underlying purpose of our prayers. Notice the word "for." Why do we make all of the requests which we make in our prayers? Why do we make each of the requests that are delineated in "the Lord's prayer"? Ultimately, it ought to be for God's kingdom, God's power, and God's glory.

J.C. Ryle said, "Thousands repeat these words daily as a form, but never consider what they are saying. They care nothing for the '﻿glory,' the '﻿kingdom,' or the '﻿will﻿' of God: they have no sense of dependence, sinfulness, weakness, or danger; they have no love or charity towards their enemies. And yet they repeat the Lord's Prayer! These things ought not to be so. May we resolve that, by God's help, our hearts shall always go together with our lips! Happy is the person who can really call God 'Father﻿' through Jesus Christ the Saviour, and can therefore say a heartfelt '﻿Amen﻿' to all that the Lord's Prayer contains."

Lee Roberson said, "We should remember that people can go to Heaven without knowing much of the Word of God, but they cannot go to Heaven without knowing Jesus Christ as Savior."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #86. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from R.G. Lee. He said, "The only way I know for any man or woman on Earth to escape the sinner’s payday on Earth and the sinner’s hell beyond — making sure of the Christian's payday on Earth and the Christian’s heaven beyond — is through Christ Jesus, who took the sinner’s place upon the Cross, becoming for all sinners all that God must judge, that sinners through faith in Christ Jesus might become all that God cannot judge."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Count Zinzendorf said, "I have one passion. It is Christ, only Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #85. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 8:58 which reads: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Gerstner. He said, "To the artist Jesus is the one altogether lovely, and to the educator He is the master teacher. To the philosopher He is the wisdom of God, and to the lonely He is a brother; to the sorrowful, a comforter; to the bereaved, the resurrection and the life. And to the sinner he is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin from the world."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

He is a professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. After an outstanding high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, he entered the 2004 NBA Draft, and was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic. He played for the Orlando Magic until 2012 and the Los Angeles Lakers until 2013, before moving on to the Houston Rockets. He is an 8 time NBA All-Star, 7 time All-NBA team selection, 5 time ALL-NBA First Team selection, and 3 time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He led the Orlando Magic to three division titles and one conference title. In the 2008 Olympics, he was the starting center for Team USA, which went on to win the gold medal. He has led the NBA in rebounds five times and in blocks twice.

Before he was drafted in 2004, he told ESPN that he wanted to use his NBA career and Christian faith to "raise the name of God within the league and throughout the world". He said of his faith, "I'm down to earth. I'm laid back. I just like to make sure people smile. I want to be able to speak to non-Christians so that I can get them saved or change their lives around. Everybody needs to realize that it doesn't matter how old you are or how young you are, you still can be a Christian and live for God. It's not easy but that's why we have God's Word and He forgives us when we do something we shouldn't be doing. You know, God sent His Son to die for us and He paid that sacrifice so you can go to Heaven.

This past week, the world witnessed yet another horror at the hands of the terrorist group known as the Islamic State or ISIS. Twenty-one Christians from Egypt were kidnapped in Libya, taken to a beach, and then cruelly beheaded. Based on the message ISIS sent along with the beheadings, those 21 men were killed for nothing else except for the fact that they were Christians.

In the video, it has been noted that the last words of some of those killed were "Lord Jesus Christ." The brother of one of these brave martyrs thanked ISIS for not editing out the men's declaration of belief in Christ because he said this had strengthened his own faith. He added that the families of the martyrs are "congratulating one another" and not in despair: He said, "We are proud to have this number of people from our village who have become martyrs... Since the Roman era, Christians have been martyred and have learned to handle everything that comes our way. This only makes us stronger in our faith..."

It is normal for people to grow fearful and anxious over the thought or threat of death. So, how is it that 21 men, hundreds of miles from their homes and families, can go calmly to their deaths? What did they have inside of them that stabilized them during an hour of great darkness. They had a promise from God -- a promise shared by all believers in Jesus Christ -- that is found in Romans 8. It reads like this: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Do you grasp what that means? Despite the knives at their necks, despite the inhumane slaughter that they faced, they were never separated from the love of God which they had experienced and known in and through Jesus Christ. They knew that they were loved by God and that they could face and conquer all things through Him. Psalm 116:45 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." These men knew that beyond death's door lay a glorious paradise and the presence of the God who loved them. This is the hope of those martyrs and of every Christian martyr down through the centuries. Nothing -- not even a cruel, violent death -- could separate them from the love of God that they had experienced in and through Jesus Christ.

Dwight L. Moody said, "A rule I have had for years is: to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend. His is not a creed, a mere doctrine, but it is He Himself we have."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #84. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 2:38 which reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Marian Wright Edelman. He said, "When Jesus Christ asked little children to come to him, he didn't say only rich children, or white children, or children with two-parent families, or children who didn't have a mental or physical handicap. He said, 'Let all children come unto me.'"

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Last week, we began talking about the importance of being a part of a community of other believers in your Christian walk. Using the example of how, in Pilgrim's Progress, Christian found Faithful and they continued their journey to the Celestial City together, we focused on the fact that the world is not friendly to those who are followers of Christ. If you don't have other believers around you to support you, encourage you, and hold you up, you can easily become discouraged in your Christian walk.

Today, we want to take a closer look at the second mark of true Christians: not only are they hated by the world, but they love each other. Our passage states, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."

One of the first marks of a follower of Jesus Christ is that he or she loves other believers and the church as a whole. In his fine work on The Letters of John, Colin Kruse states that John points out that mutual love is the mark of true children of God. Those who love are those who have passed from death to life. 'The expression 'we have passed from death to life' has a close parallel to the same phrase found in the Gospel of John where the idea of passing from death to life is synonymous with escaping condemnation and obtaining eternal life. The closeness of the expressions and the relationship between First John and the Gospel of John justify interpreting this statement to show that love for fellow believers is the mark of those who have escaped condemnation because they have come to know God through Jesus Christ.' Basically, what John is clearly showing here is that if you are truly born again, you will love others who are also born again.

The word used here for love is agape. This indicates that the love we have for others in the body of Christ is not based on feelings or based on what they have done for us or how they have treated us. We simply choose to love them just as God chose to love us despite our faults, sins, and failures. Just as in any family, because we are all human, people in the body of Christ will offend you, betray you, and do things that you do not agree with. What do you do? You love them anyway. Love is the mark of the body of believers.

John calls those who do not love other Christians "murderers." Is there somebody in your church whom you hate or despise -- somebody whom you avoid at all costs, somebody whom you wish you didn't have to see every time you went to church? The Bible classifies your attitude toward that person as murderous. Remember, God looks on your heart. Just because you have never said or done anything negative to that person, that does not negate your attitude. Kenneth L. Barker states, "In the heart there is no difference; to hate is to despise, to cut off from relationship, and murder is simply the fulfillment of that attitude." Charles Spurgeon also stated, "Every man who hates another has the venom of murder in his veins. He may never actually take the deadly weapons into his hand and destroy life; but if he wishes that his brother were out of the way, if he would be glad if no such person existed, that feeling amounts to murder in the judgment of God."

Dear friend, you need other believers, and other believers need you. Together, we grow stronger in our faith, encourage each other, and "provoke" each other to do what is right. Don't ruin the fellowship that you could have by holding a grudge or becoming bitter toward another brother or sister. The Bible says, "How good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity."

Last week, we began talking about the importance of being a part of a community of other believers in your Christian walk. Using the example of how, in Pilgrim's Progress, Christian found Faithful and they continued their journey to the Celestial City together, we focused on the fact that the world is not friendly to those who are followers of Christ. If you don't have other believers around you to support you, encourage you, and hold you up, you can easily become discouraged in your Christian walk.

Today, we want to take a closer look at the second mark of true Christians: not only are they hated by the world, but they love each other. Our passage states, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."

One of the first marks of a follower of Jesus Christ is that he or she loves other believers and the church as a whole. In his fine work on The Letters of John, Colin Kruse states that John points out that mutual love is the mark of true children of God. Those who love are those who have passed from death to life. 'The expression 'we have passed from death to life' has a close parallel to the same phrase found in the Gospel of John where the idea of passing from death to life is synonymous with escaping condemnation and obtaining eternal life. The closeness of the expressions and the relationship between First John and the Gospel of John justify interpreting this statement to show that love for fellow believers is the mark of those who have escaped condemnation because they have come to know God through Jesus Christ.' Basically, what John is clearly showing here is that if you are truly born again, you will love others who are also born again.

The word used here for love is agape. This indicates that the love we have for others in the body of Christ is not based on feelings or based on what they have done for us or how they have treated us. We simply choose to love them just as God chose to love us despite our faults, sins, and failures. Just as in any family, because we are all human, people in the body of Christ will offend you, betray you, and do things that you do not agree with. What do you do? You love them anyway. Love is the mark of the body of believers.

John calls those who do not love other Christians "murderers." Is there somebody in your church whom you hate or despise -- somebody whom you avoid at all costs, somebody whom you wish you didn't have to see every time you went to church? The Bible classifies your attitude toward that person as murderous. Remember, God looks on your heart. Just because you have never said or done anything negative to that person, that does not negate your attitude. Kenneth L. Barker states, "In the heart there is no difference; to hate is to despise, to cut off from relationship, and murder is simply the fulfillment of that attitude." Charles Spurgeon also stated, "Every man who hates another has the venom of murder in his veins. He may never actually take the deadly weapons into his hand and destroy life; but if he wishes that his brother were out of the way, if he would be glad if no such person existed, that feeling amounts to murder in the judgment of God."

Dear friend, you need other believers, and other believers need you. Together, we grow stronger in our faith, encourage each other, and "provoke" each other to do what is right. Don't ruin the fellowship that you could have by holding a grudge or becoming bitter toward another brother or sister. The Bible says, "How good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity."

John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Last week, we looked at the five things that God does for us through the new birth. Those things are:

1. God justifies us.
2. God takes us out of the family of Adam and puts us into Christ's family.
3. God makes us His child.
4. God gives us a new spirit, and He gives us His Spirit to dwell inside of us.
5. God gives us eternal life.

Today, as we close out this lesson series, let’s look at how we can know for sure that we have experienced the new birth. Each one of us should know for sure whether or not we have truly been born again, and God has given us some definite ways by which we can know.

1. We know that we have received the new birth by the Word of God. 1 John 5:13 says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life..." When we are born again, God's Spirit will make the Word of God real to our hearts, and we will know from God's Word that we are saved. I recall that before I got saved, I found it difficult to read and understand the Word of God. However, after I got saved -- after I was born again -- the Word of God was understandable and easy to read. It was as if my eyes had been opened. You will experience this as well.

2. We know that we have received the new birth by the witness of the Spirit. Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." When we are born again, God's Spirit comes to dwell within us, and He bears witness with our spirit that we are a child of God. This is not something that we can explain or prove to someone else, but we know that it is true in our hearts.

3. We know that we have received the new birth by our actions. 1 John 3:14 says, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." When we are truly born again, our actions will change. We will want to obey God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We will begin to love the things that are right and hate the things that are wrong. We will have love in our hearts for unsaved people, and we will want them to be saved. We will also love other Christians.

All of these things will begin to happen because we have been born again.

Today, we turn our attention to those who 'have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.' This is a sign of the times that is particularly relevant for those who are in the church. Just as sinners act like sinners, saved people ought to act like they are saved, and they ought to do so genuinely from the heart. However, sadly, that is not always the case. We, instead, have many people who only hold to a "form" of Christianity.

The word "form" refers to outward appearance or facade. It applies to those who do things in order to 'keep up appearances' before others. They appear to have a godly and pious life, they appear to be model Christians, but there is something amiss in their hearts. The Bible speaks to this condition several times.

Jesus Christ called out the religious leaders of his day for this type of false piety. He said, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

That is how some Christians live their lives -- like a pretty grave. They look good in church, like they have it all together. They sing, they serve, they share their testimony. But on the backside of the marble and white stone exterior, is a rotting, decaying skeleton. Behind closed doors, their family is not what it should be, they struggle with secret sin, their heart is really not into the Lord's work as it should be. They only pay lip service to the principles of "Godliness", but they do not apply those same principles to their own lives, and thus never experience the power of God that can transform their family, help them resist temptation, and set their heart on fire for God.

Have you ever seen a swan? A swan is a beautiful animal. But if you were to pluck those beautiful white feathers off of a swan, you would find that its skin is black. What would happen if someone plucked your feathers off? Will they find that you are just as godly on the inside as your outside appearance suggests?

Martin Luther said, "I live as though Jesus Christ was crucified yesterday, arose today and is coming again tomorrow."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #83. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 13:8 which reads: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "There are many sciences that may be learned by the head, but the science of Christ crucified can only be learned by the heart."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #82. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 6:35 which reads: "I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from A.W. Tozer. He said, "People who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks: (1) They are facing only one direction. (2) They can never turn back. (3) And they no longer have plans of their own."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

John Bunyan said, "I love to hear my Lord spoken of, and wherever I have seen the print of His shoe in the earth, there have I coveted to put mine also."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #81. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 10:14-15 which reads: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Billy Graham. He said, "The men who followed Jesus were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

We are continuing our in-depth look at the six parts of what is called the Lord's prayer. As a reminder, those six essential parts are as follows:

1. We praise and recognize God.
2. We put God's will before ours.
3. We ask for our daily needs.
4. We confess our sins and ask for forgiveness of sin.
5. We ask God to deliver us from temptation and evil.
6. We praise and recognize God's glory once again.

We have already looked at the first four building blocks of this prayer -- "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name", "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," "Give us this day our daily bread...," and "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Today, we are going to look at the fifth building block in which Jesus Christ teaches us to pray, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

This is a very practical prayer for our everyday lives. Every day we are faced with the temptation to do wrong. Every day, opportunities present themselves before us where we have to choose the path of good or evil. Unfortunately, sin and evil often appear pleasurable and desirable. When we are weak, worried, or stressed, the devil comes to us and makes tempting suggestions. He will make us think that if we give in, our problems will be solved and our life will be easy. He did it with Eve in the Garden. He did it with Jesus Christ in the wilderness. And he does it with each and every one of us today.

But, Jesus Christ gives us a prayer for times like these. He tells us that we can ask of God, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Dr. W.A. Criswell stated, "This is a request for the intervention of God in life's moments of trial and temptation in such a manner that the 'way of escape' is made clear. The petition gives full recognition to the incredible deception and power of temptation and affirms that deliverance from the grasp of evil can come only from the Lord. "

Now, the phrasing of this request in our English Bibles makes it sound like God is responsible for our temptations. However, when we look at the tense of the Greek in this verse, we find that what it is really saying is that our request ought to be that we not have to face temptation. In other words, our desire ought to be that we not even have to deal with the devil. However, the latter phrase -- "but deliver us from evil" -- acknowledges that it is possible that we will be tempted. In fact, it is a fact that we will be tempted. And, by asking God to deliver us from evil, we are saying, "Lord, although I would rather not be tempted, when I am tempted, please show me the way of escape and deliver me from it."

Regarding this phrase, Spurgeon said: "The man who is really forgiven, is anxious not to offend again; the possession of justification leads to an anxious desire for sanctification. When we pray, 'Forgive us our debts,' that is justification. When we pray, 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,' that is sanctification in its negative and positive forms."

So, as sanctified children of God, our desire should be to not have any part in the works of the devil -- and that includes the possibility of the works of the devil as presented to us via temptation. However, if we are honest, we have to admit that we will face temptation. And since we face that possibility every day, our "backup request" is, "Lord, when I am faced with temptation, deliver me from it. Give me the grace and the power of your Holy Spirit to say 'no.'" John MacArthur says that this prayer speaks "of a heart desire and inclination that cause a believer to want to avoid the danger and trouble sin creates...

Joyce Meyer said, "We owed a debt we could not pay; and Jesus paid a debt He did not owe."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #80. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 6:35 which reads: "I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Robert L. Turner. He said, "We believe that the first time we're born, as children, it's human life given to us; and when we accept Jesus as our Saviour, it's a new life. That's what 'born again' means."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #79. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 10:14-15 which reads: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from B. R. Lakin. He said, "It seemed to me that Jesus Christ came down the aisle with a cross on His back, and with a crown of thorns on His Head, and with spittle and slime running down his face. ‘What can I do for you?’ He asked. ‘Lord, do for me that which I cannot do for myself,’ I cried."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Avis B. Christiansen said, "Up Calvary’s mountain, one dreadful morn, Walked Christ my Saviour, weary and worn; Facing for sinners death on the Cross, That He might save them from endless loss."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #78. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 15:1-2 which reads: "I am the true Vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from St. Augustine. He said, "He who alone was free among the dead—because He was free to lay down His life and free to take it up again—was for us both victor and victim...and it is because He was the victim that He was also the victor."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

He is a hip-hop artist and songwriter. He burst on to the scene in 2010 with the release of "Overly Dedicated". The following year, he released the iTunes exclusive album, "Section.80". His major-label debut album "good kid, m.A.A.d city," was released in October 2012 to critical acclaim. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and was later certified platinum. In 2014, he received 7 Grammy nominations including Best New Artist. In 2015, he won Grammy awards for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for his song "i".

Although, he has said his parents didn't raise him in the church, he credits his grandmother with providing him early exposure to biblical teachings. He also credits God for delivering him from the pull of crime and gang culture in his neighborhood.

In interviews with Complex and The Fader, he said, "God put something in my heart to get across and that’s what I’m going to focus on, using my voice as an instrument and doing what needs to be done....We’re all put on this earth to walk in the image of the Master." He went on to say, "If I want to idolize somebody, I’m gonna idolize the Master and try to walk in His light. It’s hard, it’s something I probably could never do, but I’m gonna try.”

On the intro to his 2012 album, he encourages listeners to come to Christ with the following prayer: "Lord God, I come to you a sinner, and I humbly repent for my sins. I believe that Jesus is Lord. I believe that you raised Him from the dead. I will ask that Jesus will come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. I receive Jesus to take control of my life that I may live for Him from this day forth. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me with your precious blood. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

Valentine's Day is perhaps the time of year when people most turn their thoughts to love. Stores fill with heart-shaped balloons, red roses, chocolate, and greeting cards expressing ideas of devotion and love. Husbands and wives, those engaged to be married, boyfriends and girlfriends take the time to show their feelings for each other in different ways.

But, yet, for all the love that seems to be in the air, many people find Valentine's Day to be a day of sadness or regret. Many people are reminded of how their heart was broken by someone they thought really loved them. Others are reminded of broken relationships and broken marriages. February 14th is sometimes referred to as Singles Awareness Day (or S.A.D.) for all the people who wish and hope for love and romance but have not found it yet.

Despite the emphasis placed on love and relationships by entertainment and the media in our culture, the latter group of people whom I have just mentioned know that love is really like a rose -- it is a beautiful flower that has dangerous thorns. C.S. Lewis said, “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal."

However, there is one demonstration of love that exceeds all others. The Bible tells us about this love when it says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." It is a brave and selfless thing for someone to take a gunshot or a knife stroke meant for someone else. You might never imagine that someone would do such a thing for you. And, indeed, with the selfishness that is common in human nature, you would be hard pressed to find someone willing to do such a thing. But there is someone who has already done that for you.

His name is Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God who came to earth to take upon Himself the punishment we deserve for our sins. Romans 5:8 tells us that "God commendeth [or showed] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Last week, we saw that the three requirements for the new birth are (1) faith, (2) the Word and the Spirit, and (3) God.

What is our part in the new birth? Our part is to come as a sinner to the Lord Jesus and receive Him as our Saviour. The Bible says, "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." When we truly believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and we receive Him as our Saviour, we are born again.

God does many, many wonderful things for us when we receive the Lord Jesus as our Saviour. Let’s talk about some of those things now.

1. God justifies us. This means that He forgives us of all our sins and declares us righteous in Christ. Romans 3:24 says that we are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

2. God takes us out of the family of Adam and puts us into Christ's family. We are no longer in Adam, but we are in Christ. Colossians 1:13 says that God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

3. God makes us His child. God does something for us that He does for no other creature. He makes us His very own children. The Bible says, “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God."

4. God gives us a new spirit, and He gives us His Spirit to dwell in our new spirit. This is called regeneration. Ezekiel 36:26-27 says, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.“

We need to make one thing clear here—our old nature is not removed when we are born again. God does not remove our old sinful nature, but He gives us His life to overcome it. Our old nature will not be removed until Jesus comes for us, but with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we can overcome its sinful desires.

5. God gives us eternal life. We shall never be separated from God. The Bible says, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

God does many other wonderful things for us when we are born again. He puts us in Christ. He joins us to His Son. He delivers us from the kingdom of darkness and from the power of sin. He makes it possible for us to have victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. We are going to find out more about these things in the following lessons.

Archibald Alexander said, "All my theology is reduced to this narrow compass—Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #77. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 7:25 which reads: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Charles Dickens. He said, "I commit my soul to the mercy of God, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I now most solemnly impress upon you the truth and beauty of the Christian religion as it came from Christ Himself, and the impossibility of going far wrong if you humbly but heartily respect it."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

As we continue our series, allow me to read from the story of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan as a prelude to our topic for today. Christian has now come out of the Valley of Humiliation, and as he proceeds on his journey, he meets another believer who is also walking the straight and narrow way. Bunyan writes:

Now as Christian went on his way, he came to a slight ascent which was specially designed so that pilgrims could more easily see ahead of them; therefore Christian went up and, looking forward, he saw Faithful in the distance intent on his journey. Then did Christian call out loudly, "Here, here, look here. Wait, let me catch up and I will be your companion.” At this Faithful looked behind him, causing Christian to again cry out, “Wait, wait till I catch up with you.” But Faithful replied, “No, I travel with my life at stake, and the Avenger of Blood is close behind.”

This reply somewhat moved Christian, so mustering all his strength he quickly caught up with Faithful and in fact raced past him so that the last had become first! As a result Christian smiled with a sense of self-congratulation; he felt proud of now being ahead of his brother. Yet not paying attention to his feet, he suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground, and was unable to get up, that is until Faithful came up to help him?

Then I saw in my dream that both of them went on very lovingly together; and they had delightful conversation about all of the things that had happened to them on their pilgrimage.

You've heard it said many times that everybody needs somebody. When Christian left his home in the city of Destruction, he left alone, but he did not stay alone for long. All along the way to the Celestial City, he met and conversed with other servants of the King who helped him on his way. And, the fact of the matter is, none of us can make it on our own either. We need the friendship and companionship of other believers to help us grow and become stronger in the Christian faith. Today, I want to share with you one of the main reasons why this is the case.

As we continue our series, allow me to read from the story of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan as a prelude to our topic for today. Christian has now come out of the Valley of Humiliation, and as he proceeds on his journey, he meets another believer who is also walking the straight and narrow way. Bunyan writes:

Now as Christian went on his way, he came to a slight ascent which was specially designed so that pilgrims could more easily see ahead of them; therefore Christian went up and, looking forward, he saw Faithful in the distance intent on his journey. Then did Christian call out loudly, "Here, here, look here. Wait, let me catch up and I will be your companion.” At this Faithful looked behind him, causing Christian to again cry out, “Wait, wait till I catch up with you.” But Faithful replied, “No, I travel with my life at stake, and the Avenger of Blood is close behind.”

This reply somewhat moved Christian, so mustering all his strength he quickly caught up with Faithful and in fact raced past him so that the last had become first! As a result Christian smiled with a sense of self-congratulation; he felt proud of now being ahead of his brother. Yet not paying attention to his feet, he suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground, and was unable to get up, that is until Faithful came up to help him?

Then I saw in my dream that both of them went on very lovingly together; and they had delightful conversation about all of the things that had happened to them on their pilgrimage.

You've heard it said many times that everybody needs somebody. When Christian left his home in the city of Destruction, he left alone, but he did not stay alone for long. All along the way to the Celestial City, he met and conversed with other servants of the King who helped him on his way. And, the fact of the matter is, none of us can make it on our own either. We need the friendship and companionship of other believers to help us grow and become stronger in the Christian faith. Today, I want to share with you one of the main reasons why this is the case.

Today, we turn our attention to the phrase, "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." We all like pleasure. Just the word "pleasure" fills us with the idea of good times, ease, enjoyment, and relaxation. The Greek word used for pleasure in this passage is philhedonos. From philos, meaning love; and hedone, meaning pleasure. Hedone is where we get our word "hedonism" from. Hedonism is the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the most important pursuit in life. It is the old philosophy of "eat, drink, and be merry."

Now, there is nothing wrong with pleasure if that pleasure is obtained by good and righteous means. For example, sexual sin is pleasurable, but it is still wrong. However, the pleasure you gain from working hard and being able to enjoy a time of relaxation and rest is good. So, pleasure itself is not wrong. Pleasure is just a feeling. What God has a problem with is people loving pleasure more than they love Him -- the One who gives everyone the ability to experience pleasure. Scientists tell us that there is a particular part of the brain -- the locus acumbens -- that allows us to experience pleasure. Do you know who put that particular piece in our brains? God did. He wants us to experience pleasure, and first of all the pleasure of knowing Him. So, God is not against pleasure.

Our passage today is speaking of the self-absorbed, self-gratifying activities of those who are not saved. They seek pleasure alone; they live for pleasure. They fill their lives with parties, events, food, "good times," and expensive vacations. Even the work they do is done with the aim of being able to experience more pleasure in the future. Again, there is nothing wrong with these things; it becomes wrong when you love the pleasure you can experience more than you love God.

There is an addiction epidemic in our society today: people are addicted to drugs, alcohol, and pornography. Why do people become addicted to such things? Ultimately, they are seeking pleasure. They want to experience a certain feeling or a certain high again and again, and so they keep going back to whatever it is that gives them that feeling. A doctor and a researcher were called in by the Veterans Administration Hospital in Los Angeles to help them determine whether cocaine addicts could actually recover. The problem the hospital was having was that they would hospitalize young men for cocaine addiction. But after six months of treatment they were released, and within one day they were re-addicted. Even after all that time, these young men remembered the pleasure, the high, they got from cocaine and they went back to it. Our society is in the throes of addiction to pleasure.

Now, listen to these words from Philippians 3:18-19: "For many walk [who] are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." Paul here is writing to believers, and he is speaking of those who are in the church yet who do not follow Christian teachings. Paul calls these people "enemies of the cross of Christ," and describes them as having four characteristics.

David Livingstone said, "I will place no value on anything I have or may possess except in relation to the Kingdom of Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #76. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 8:12 which reads: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Sadhu Sundar Singh. He said, "From time immemorial men have quenched their thirst with water without knowing anything about its chemical constituents. In like manner we do not need to be instructed in all the mysteries of doctrine, but we do need to receive the Living Water which Jesus Christ will give us and which alone can satisfy our souls."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

W.E. Orchard said, "They gave Him a manger for a cradle, a carpenter’s bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them the very glory of his career."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #75. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 8:38-39 which reads: " For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Edmond de Pressense. He said, "He Who was foretold and foreshadowed by the holy religion of Judea, which was designed to free the universal aspiration of mankind from every impure element, He has come to instruct, to obey, to love, to die, and by dying to save mankind."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Adam Young said, "I am fallen, flawed and imperfect. Yet drenched in the grace and mercy that is found in Jesus Christ, there is strength."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #74. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 19:25-26 which reads: "When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from yours truly, Daniel Whyte III. "If this were my last day on earth, and I were given the opportunity to give the world my last words, I would say: 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.'"

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

We are continuing our in-depth look at the six parts of what is called the Lord's prayer. As a reminder, those six essential parts are as follows:

1. We praise and recognize God.
2. We put God's will before ours.
3. We ask for our daily needs.
4. We confess our sins and ask for forgiveness of sin.
5. We ask God to deliver us from temptation and evil.
6. We praise and recognize God's glory once again.

We have already looked at the first three building blocks of this prayer -- "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name", "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," "Give us this day our daily bread..." Today, we are going to look at the fourth building block in which Jesus Christ teaches us to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

Charles Spurgeon said, "No prayer of mortal men could be complete without confession of sin." Why? Because even though we are saved, even though we strive to do what is right, it is inevitable that we will sometimes act or think in a manner that is displeasing to God. When we think of "sin", our minds focus on big, outward sins such as adultery, murder, lying, or stealing. But the Bible informs us that a lustful glance, the entertaining of impure thoughts, and not doing the good that we know to do is all offensive in God's eyes. When we pray, if we are sensitive to God's Spirit, we will confess each of those infractions as sins as well.

Evangelist Billy Graham once told the story of how one day he got sick and was taken to the hospital. He had preached in hundreds of crusades and events around the world. He was getting on up in years, and as he lay in that hospital bed with pain wracking his body, he began to pray and ask God to just take him on home. He said that as he prayed, God began to remind him of some things that he had done wrong -- some of what we would call "little things" that were offensive to God. And as he lay in the hospital, Billy Graham said that he confessed those things one by one and asked for God's forgiveness.

Let's look closely at the word "forgive" in this passage. This word comes from a Greek word which means to send away or to set loose. It was a legal term which meant to free someone from a bond, to acquit, or to make exempt. That is what God does for us when He forgives us. He sets us loose from our sin and the guilt of sin. The story is told of missionaries in northern Alaska who were translating the Bible into the language of the Eskimos. They discovered that there was no word in their language that was equal to forgiveness. After much patient listening to the natives, however, they found a word that means, "?not being able to think about it anymore," and that word was used throughout the translation to represent forgiveness. God's promise to repentant sinners is, "?I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more?."

However, as 1 John 1:9 says, "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins." Just as salvation is conditional on our acceptance of the gift offered through Jesus Christ, forgiveness is conditional on the confession of our sins. So, in prayer, we must confess our sins and ask God to forgive us of our sins.

However, there is something we must do before we ask God to forgive us of our sins, and that is: forgive those who have sinned against us. We ought to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." The Greek word for debt means something that is owed -- a spiritual or moral debt to God. In the parallel passage of the Lord's Prayer found in Luke, a different word -- hamartia -- is used which clearly indicates that the prayer is talking about sin and not financial obligations.

Charles Hodge said, "To be in Christ is the source of the Christian’s life; to be like Christ is the sum of His excellence; to be with Christ is the fullness of His joy."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #72. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:1 which reads: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Reggie White. He said, "Talking about my relationship with Jesus Christ is as natural as breathing for me. I say relationship because it's a day-by-day, night-by-night, ongoing communication between Jesus and me. I'm not saying that any person can use the name of Jesus and beat every opponent. If that were true, I could skip all my practices, and forget about my weight training and conditioning. But I do want to live and breathe Jesus Christ so much that when people see me, they see Him. I still mess up and fall short of imitating Him in my life, but He always forgives and encourages me."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Charles Hodge said, "To be in Christ is the source of the Christian’s life; to be like Christ is the sum of His excellence; to be with Christ is the fullness of His joy."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #72. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:1 which reads: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Reggie White. He said, "Talking about my relationship with Jesus Christ is as natural as breathing for me. I say relationship because it's a day-by-day, night-by-night, ongoing communication between Jesus and me. I'm not saying that any person can use the name of Jesus and beat every opponent. If that were true, I could skip all my practices, and forget about my weight training and conditioning. But I do want to live and breathe Jesus Christ so much that when people see me, they see Him. I still mess up and fall short of imitating Him in my life, but He always forgives and encourages me."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Jon Kitna said, "My life isn't good because I'm a football player. I'm a football player because my life is good. Jesus Christ has made my life good. His grace and His forgiveness have changed me."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #71. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 16:25 which reads: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Catriona LeMay Doan. She said, "There's a peace in my life, and I know that Jesus is a part of everything I do, on or off the ice. My focus has changed, knowing that I don't have to worry about results. It really becomes simple. I put in the training and technically I know what to do. Then I just go out and skate as well as I can and leave the rest up to the Lord. That's the attitude I took with me. I know that no matter how well I do, Jesus will be there for me. Though it is great to win, I know it's my relationship with Jesus that gives me true significance. He loves me, brings joy to my life and gives me peace. With him, my life is truly fulfilling."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

As we continue our series on Pilgrim's Progress According to the Bible, allow me to read from the story of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan as a prelude to our topic for today. As you may recall, Christian was in the Valley of Humiliation when he was approached by Apollyon. Apollyon began to attack Christian with his fiery darts. Christian used his shield to deflect most of the darts, but Bunyan tells us that he was wounded in his head, one of his hands and one of his feet.

Then Apollyon, espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to Christian, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with that Christian's sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, "I am sure of you now." And with that he had almost pressed him to death, so that Christian began to despair of life; but as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching of his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly stretched out his hand for his sword, and caught it, saying, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall I shall arise."

And with that gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound. Christian perceiving that, made at him again, saying, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us". And with that Apollyon spread forth his dragon's wings, and sped him away, that Christian for a season saw him no more.

We have already learned that one of the reasons why we need to be humbled and broken is so that we will be spiritually vigilant so that we will not fall into temptation. We also learned that we need to be humbled and broken so that we will grow stronger in our Christian faith by applying what we have learned and using the tools that we have been given.

Today, I want you to notice that we need to be humbled and broken in order to realize that it is only through God that we will be victorious over the enemy. Our passage states, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

As we continue our series on Pilgrim's Progress According to the Bible, allow me to read from the story of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan as a prelude to our topic for today. As you may recall, Christian was in the Valley of Humiliation when he was approached by Apollyon. Apollyon began to attack Christian with his fiery darts. Christian used his shield to deflect most of the darts, but Bunyan tells us that he was wounded in his head, one of his hands and one of his feet.

Then Apollyon, espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to Christian, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with that Christian's sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, "I am sure of you now." And with that he had almost pressed him to death, so that Christian began to despair of life; but as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching of his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly stretched out his hand for his sword, and caught it, saying, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall I shall arise."

And with that gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound. Christian perceiving that, made at him again, saying, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us". And with that Apollyon spread forth his dragon's wings, and sped him away, that Christian for a season saw him no more.

We have already learned that one of the reasons why we need to be humbled and broken is so that we will be spiritually vigilant so that we will not fall into temptation. We also learned that we need to be humbled and broken so that we will grow stronger in our Christian faith by applying what we have learned and using the tools that we have been given.

Today, I want you to notice that we need to be humbled and broken in order to realize that it is only through God that we will be victorious over the enemy. Our passage states, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

W.H. Griffith Thomas said, "Jesus Christ is the greatest influence in the world today. There is...a fifth Gospel being written—the work of Jesus Christ in the hearts and lives of men and nations."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #70. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 25:13 which reads: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Albert Schweitzer. He said, "Jesus means something to our world because a mighty spiritual force streams forth from him and flows through our being also. This fact can neither be shaken nor confirmed by any historical discovery. It is the solid foundation of Christianity."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

She is an American beach volleyball player. She played collegiate volleyball at UCLA where she was a four-year starter. She earned All-League and All-American honors and was the PAC-10's 1994 Player of the Year. At the 1999 Beach Volleyball World Championships, she who won the silver medal. That same year, she and her partner, Jenny Johnson Jordan, were the winningest USA men's or women's pro beach volleyball team. She was also named "Queen of the beach" in the Honolulu AVP tournament. She ranked in the top 10 in hitting percentage on the AVP Tour four times, and along with her partner, won their first six career titles over a 14-month span on four different tours.

She said of her faith, "When I was 11 years old, I was visiting my cousins and went with them to a youth event at a church. At that event, I realized that I was missing out on something. In my upbringing I had never heard about having a personal relationship with Jesus. My cousins seemed to know Jesus, and actually love Him. Sure, I knew Scripture and the stories of the Bible, but I didn’t have a relationship with the God of the Bible, or with His Son. That night my journey of friendship (with God), of being a slave to Christ began. It’s been a wonderful ride. As a result of knowing Christ I believe I’m more confident in Him, which helps me appear strong in the world. I have hope for my future, because I know I will ultimately be in heaven."

She went on to say, "My faith helps me to keep things in perspective. I live my life by three rules: My life with God first, my family life second, and anything else I do (including my sport) a distant third. My sport is not my life, but it is a great part of it. I believe that God has blessed me with talents that not everyone has so that I can use those talents to help further His kingdom. All I do is for His glory. I hope this comes across every time I step on the court, and when I speak to the media, my peers and fans."

Many years from now, when the world looks back on this time in history, "terrorism" and "extremists" will likely be identified as the watchwords of our day. Even though acts of terror have been carried out at different times in history, after 9/11, the Western world was awakened to a new brand of terror in the form of Islamic extremism. People who fall in this category are willing to end their own lives in an effort to destroy, dismantle, and bring an end to Western civilization, Christians, Jews, and even other Muslims who do not believe exactly as they do.

On the news, we regularly hear phrases such as "terrorist", "war on terror", and "suicide bomber." Currently, the War on Terror is actively being fought in Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Pakistan, and Syria. Ongoing military operations against terrorists are also being carried out in Nigeria, the Horn of Africa, the Philippines, the trans-Sahara region, China, and Chechnya.

Perhaps most shocking has been the series of beheadings carried out by a group which calls itself the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Just last week, they burned a man alive and put it on video for the world to see. They are slaughtering thousands in Iraq and Syria, expelling Christians, Yazidis, and other minorities from their homelands, and threatening to take over not only Baghdad and Damascus -- the capitals of Iraq and Syria -- but to launch attacks inside the United States and other Western nations. Unfortunately, it seems as though efforts to stop this group have been ineffective.

As we see these events taking place, you may be asking questions like: Why is this happening? Does anyone care? It is easy to become cynical and to lose hope in the face of such terror. Even the bold words of political leaders and their assurances of success in the war on terror in the long run have failed to give us hope.

But there is one source of hope that never fails. The Bible tells you in 1 Peter 5:7, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." The person this verse is talking about is Jesus Christ. Political and military leaders fail to give us hope that we will prevail against terror. But we can find hope in Jesus Christ because He has overcome everything in the world -- including torture and death.

John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Last week, we saw how Jesus Christ told Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again." Today, let us look at the three requirements for the new birth.

1. Faith is necessary for the new birth. The requirement for the new birth is faith in Jesus Christ who was crucified for our sins. The Lord Jesus explained this to Nicodemus by reminding him of something that happened to the children of Israel while they were in the wilderness.

The people had complained against God and Moses, so God sent fiery serpents among them. Those who were bitten by the serpents died. The people confessed their sin and cried to Moses for deliverance.

Moses prayed to God, and the Lord told him to make a serpent of brass and put it upon a pole so that everyone who looked at it might live. Moses did as God had commanded. The Bible says, "and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived."

Then Jesus said, "...as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

It is ironic that the very creature who was used by Satan to cause the human race to sin, was also used by God as the symbol of physical salvation for the Jews in the wilderness, and then again as a figure of the spiritual salvation which Jesus would provide on the cross. Notice what John Piper says about this text: "Jesus in the place of the snake is portrayed as evil and a curse. This is what is so shocking. The snake is evil. The snakes were killing people. The snake on the pole is a picture of God's curse on the people. So it was with Jesus. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:2, 'For our sake [God] made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.' And in Galatians 3:13, he said, 'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.' In becoming like the snake, he was the embodiment of our sin, and the embodiment of our curse. And in becoming sin and curse for us, he took our [sin and curse] away."

Just as the Israelites were saved from physical death by looking in faith at the serpent upon the pole, so we are saved from eternal death by looking in faith at Jesus upon the cross.

Today, we turn our attention to the words "heady" and "highminded." We are dealing with these two words together because they are closely related. What do these words mean? The word "heady" comes from the Greek word meaning headstrong, rash, or reckless. A heady person is characterized by activity that is self-serving and impetuous. They plunge rapidly ahead into what they want to do, not taking heed to sound advice and words of caution. Nothing matters to them but getting what they want.

In our very first message in this series -- Has the End of the World Come Upon Us? -- we dealt with the sign of increased selfishness among people. A heady person is one who is selfish because he cares only for his own wishes and desires. He does not obey the Biblical command in Philippians 2:4: "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."

You heard the old saying, "haste makes waste." People ruin their lives because they are in a hurry to do something or to get somewhere that they are not ready for. Some people are in a hurry to get married when they are not ready for marriage. Some young people are in a hurry to leave home when they are not ready to face the world on their own. Some people are in a hurry to leave the job or work position that they are in when they are really not ready for the added responsibilities. If you look back on your life, you are probably able to identify a point at which you rushed into something, made a mess of things, and then realized that it would have been better if you had waited.

Why are so many people's lives and families ruined in the world today? The reason is simple: Because people refuse to do things God's way. People want to do marriage their way, and look where that has gotten us -- broken homes, broken families, a broken society. It's about to get even worse: people are trying to get homosexual marriage legalized across the country. It's already legal in a few other countries. In a few years, people are going to be wondering why so many people are sick from sexually transmitted diseases. The World Health Organization recently reported that homosexuals are 19 times more likely to have HIV than the general population. It also stated that there is an "exploding epidemic" of HIV in homosexual communities around the world. Last year a Gallup poll found that 69% of Americans think divorce is acceptable, 66% think fornication is acceptable, 42% think abortion is acceptable. All of these things that are wrong and sinful in God's eyes. But, people want to do things their way, not God’s way. They are heady -- they think they know what is best -- and they rush headlong to their own destruction.

People want to have their own way, and so they try to push God out of their lives. You've heard of the lawsuits being filed against schools, businesses, and cities that do simple things such as pray before a city council meeting, put up a monument of the Ten Commandments before the courthouse, recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the words "one nation under God" in it before school starts. Now, people are saying, 'No, we don't want God involved in our lives. We know what's best. We can do things on our own.' And then they wonder why we have so many school shootings, so much corruption in government , and so much crime in our community.

How is headyness connected with highmindedness? The word "highminded" comes from the Greek word for conceited. It is also translated: to be puffed up, to be swollen with conceit, or to be swell headed. A highminded person is one who is filled with pride. The Greek word "tuphoo" literally means to be wrapped in smoke or mist. It carries with it the picture of having a distorted view of one's own standing. Commentators have likened this person to a "know it all" because no one can tell them anything.

Alexander Maclaren said, "We believe that the history of the world is but the history of Christ's influence and that the center of the whole universe is the cross of Calvary."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #69. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 2:38 which reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Harry Emerson Fosdick. He said, "It is not difficult to see one vital significance of Jesus Christ: He has given us the most glorious interpretation of life’s meaning that the sons of men have ever had. The fatherhood of God, the friendship of the Spirit, the sovereignty of righteousness, the law of love, the glory of service, the coming of the kingdom, the eternal hope—there never was an interpretation of life to compare with that."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

John Knox said, "No one else holds or has held the place in the heart of the world which Jesus holds. Other gods have been as devoutly worshipped; no other man has been so devoutly loved."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #68. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 13:8 which reads: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Malcolm Muggeridge. He said, "Christ is the only answer to an insane world. They will not understand that the trouble with the western world civilization is not economics, but more—good and evil! They are thinking they can make things work by policies, inventions, but man will never live on this planet without God!"

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Napoleon Bonaparte said, "The nature of Christ’s existence is mysterious, I admit; but this mystery meets the wants of man. Reject it, and the world is an explicable riddle; believe it, and the history of our race is satisfactorily explained."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #67. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:13 which reads: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from George Bernard Shaw. He said, "I am no more of a Christian than Pilate was, or you are, gentle hearer; and yet, like Pilate, I greatly prefer Jesus of Nazareth to Amos or Caiaphas; and I am ready to admit that I see no way out of the world’s misery but the way which would have been found by His will."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Joseph Parker said, "After reading the doctrines of Plato, Socrates or Aristotle, we feel the specific difference between their words and Christ’s is the difference between an inquiry and a revelation."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #66. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Galatians 3:28 which reads: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Ralph Waldo Emerson. He said, "An era in human history is the life of Jesus, and its immense influence for good leaves all the perversion and superstition that has accrued almost harmless."

We are continuing our in depth look at the six parts of what is called the Lord's prayer. As a reminder, those six essential parts are as follows:

1. We praise and recognize God.
2. We put God's will before ours.
3. We ask for our daily needs.
4. We confess our sins and ask for forgiveness of sin.
5. We ask God to deliver us from temptation and evil.
6. We praise and recognize God's glory once again.

We have already looked at the first and second building blocks of this prayer -- "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name" and "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Today, we are going to look at the third building block in which Jesus Christ teaches us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread."

Now, if we are honest, we will admit that in our flesh, most of us do not naturally like this prayer. We do not want to have to look to God -- or to anyone else for that matter -- for our daily bread. We want to be able to look in our refrigerator, or in our deep freezer, or at least in our bank accounts and know that we will have food and other necessities for the next few days, weeks, and months. And, sometimes, God will give us the luxury of that blessing.

But why doesn't God do that for all of us? Why doesn't He give us provisions or the assurance of provisions for an extended amount of time? If you recall, He didn't do that for the Israelites in the wilderness. God sent manna down each morning, and the Israelites were to go out and gather just what they needed for that day. On Friday, God sent down enough for two days (because the next day was the Sabbath) and the Israelites were to go out and gather what they needed just for two days. What was God doing? God was teaching the Israelites that they needed to trust Him and depend on Him for everything.

God wants to teach us that today as well. That is why Jesus taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." Even though we may not like having to depend on God for our needs, the fact of the matter is we are already dependent on God for our very lives. Every breath we take is a gift from God. At any moment in this world, disaster can strike, and we can end up dead or seriously injured. D.L. Moody said, "A man can no more take a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough today to last him for the next six months; nor can he inhale sufficient air into his lungs with one breath to sustain life for a week to come. We are permitted to draw upon God's store of grace from day to day as we need it!"

Jesus' words were especially poignant for the poorer people of that day and time. Historians tell us that many of them were day laborers who were paid each day for the work they did. These workers would then go to the market, and most of the time, they would be able to buy just enough food for that day. The next day, they would have to get up and go to work again in order to be paid. They did not have the luxury of saving up a bunch of money or food.

Knowing that we are dependent on God should help us grow closer to Him and increase our loyalty and faithfulness to him.

We see a great example of dependence on God in the animal kingdom. Most animals do not store up food for themselves. Birds don't have stockpiles of worms and berries in their nests. Lions don't have dead antelopes and gazelles stored up in a freezer somewhere. They wake up each day just knowing that their Creator has provided the food they need for that day. Later on in this same chapter, Jesus Christ says, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

Peter Larson said, "Despite our efforts to keep Him out, God intrudes. The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: “a virgin’s womb and an empty tomb.” Jesus entered our world through a door marked, “No Entrance” and left through a door marked “No Exit.”"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #65. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:14 which reads: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Phillips Brooks. He said, "Never does human nature seem so courageous and so wicked all at once as when we stand before the cross of Jesus! The most enthusiastic hopes, the most profound humiliation, have found their inspiration there."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Kenneth J. Foreman said, "Jesus did not spend His time guarding the customs; He was sent to His death by the men who did."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #64. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Revelation 17:14 which reads: "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from George A. Buttrick. He said, "Jesus gave history a new beginning. In every land He is at home: everywhere men think His face is like their best face—and like God’s face. His birthday is kept across the world. His death-day has set a gallows against every city skyline. Who is He?"

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

He is a defensive back and kickoff returner for the New England Patriots of the NFL. He played college football for Rutgers University. Drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, he has played both cornerback and safety during his career. In 2010 and 2013, he was named to the Associated Press All-Pro team. He helped his team win two AFC Championships in 2011 and 2014. He was also named to the Pro Bowl in 2010.

In the Baptist Press, he said of his faith, "Striving to be rooted in God's Word and my Christian faith gives me a great foundation to lean on daily. Playing in the NFL or in a Super Bowl shouldn't define a person. I don't really think anything in this game we do defines who we are as people. It's a blessing, it's a great opportunity...to take advantage of the opportunity but still know who you are as a person."

One of the most acclaimed films of 2014 was "Boyhood." It is remarkable in that it was filmed over a span of 12 years using the same actors who came together a few days each year. The film is simply billed as "the life of a young man, Mason, from age 5 to age 18." It won Best Motion Picture and Best Director at the Golden Globe Awards and has been nominated for Best Motion Picture and five other awards at the Oscars.

One of the reasons why this film resonates with so many is because it is simply the depiction of the life of a boy, his family, and the people they come in contact with. Many people can relate to the experiences of the characters in the movie -- growing up, attending school, graduating, making mistakes, marriage, divorce, moving from a place you have lived your whole life, etc. One reviewer noted that the fact that twelve years of a boy's life has been condensed into less than three hours "has the remarkable — and no doubt intended — effect of making us realise just how short life is."

Another effect the movie has is that it forces us to think about our lives in particular and about the meaning of life in general. Through the actions and words of the characters, we are reminded of how feeble we really are and how little control we really have over this thing called life. In one scene in the movie, the boy Mason says to his father, "So what's the point?" His father replies, "Of what?" Mason says, "I don't know, any of this. Everything." His father says, "Everything? What's the point? I mean, I sure don't know. Neither does anybody else, okay? We're all just winging it, you know."

I don't know about you, dear friend, but "just winging it" does not sound like a very optimistic view of life. Most of us will admit that what we want in life is some assurance about where we are and where we are going, some direction, some goals for the future, and some peace about what that future holds. In fact, if we knew that someone could tell us where we would be and what we would be doing with our lives five, ten, or fifteen years from now, we would be happy to get that information. If someone could tell us with certainty and proof what happens after death, we would eagerly sign up to know. We don't want to live lives of uncertainty. We don't want to just wing it.

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

As we continue our series on Pilgrim's Progress According to the Bible, allow me to read from the story of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan as a prelude to our topic for today.

"Now, in this Valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to it; for he had gone but a little way, before he espied a foul fiend coming over the field to meet him; his name is Apollyon. Then did Christian begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whether to go back or to stand his ground. But he considered again that he had no armor for his back; and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him the greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts.

"Therefore he resolved to venture and stand his ground; for, thought he, had I no more in mine eye than the saving of my life, it would be the best way to stand.

"So he went on, and Apollyon met him. Now the monster was hideous to behold; he was clothed with scales, like a fish, (and they are his pride,) he had wings like a dragon, feet like a bear, and out of his belly came fire and smoke, and his mouth was as the mouth of a lion. When he was come up to Christian, he beheld him with a disdainful countenance, and thus began to question with him."

Last time we saw Christian, he was on his way into the Valley of Humiliation. And, in that valley, he met the great enemy of every believer -- the devil, here given one of his many names, Apollyon. Christian's first test was whether or not he would turn and run or face his foe. And that provides a great starting point for our message today.

Last week, we learned that one of the reasons why we need to be humbled and broken is so that we will be spiritually vigilant so that we will not fall into temptation.

Another reason why we need to be broken and humble is so that we will grow stronger in our Christian faith by applying what we have learned and using the tools that we have been given. Our passage states, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Now, the word "temptation" involves not only an invitation to sin, which we dealt with last week, but a test or a trial.

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

As we continue our series on Pilgrim's Progress According to the Bible, allow me to read from the story of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan as a prelude to our topic for today.

"Now, in this Valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to it; for he had gone but a little way, before he espied a foul fiend coming over the field to meet him; his name is Apollyon. Then did Christian begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whether to go back or to stand his ground. But he considered again that he had no armor for his back; and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him the greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts.

"Therefore he resolved to venture and stand his ground; for, thought he, had I no more in mine eye than the saving of my life, it would be the best way to stand.

"So he went on, and Apollyon met him. Now the monster was hideous to behold; he was clothed with scales, like a fish, (and they are his pride,) he had wings like a dragon, feet like a bear, and out of his belly came fire and smoke, and his mouth was as the mouth of a lion. When he was come up to Christian, he beheld him with a disdainful countenance, and thus began to question with him."

Last time we saw Christian, he was on his way into the Valley of Humiliation. And, in that valley, he met the great enemy of every believer -- the devil, here given one of his many names, Apollyon. Christian's first test was whether or not he would turn and run or face his foe. And that provides a great starting point for our message today.

Last week, we learned that one of the reasons why we need to be humbled and broken is so that we will be spiritually vigilant so that we will not fall into temptation.

Another reason why we need to be broken and humble is so that we will grow stronger in our Christian faith by applying what we have learned and using the tools that we have been given. Our passage states, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Now, the word "temptation" involves not only an invitation to sin, which we dealt with last week, but a test or a trial.

Thomas Brooks said, "Christ is a jewel worth more than a thousand worlds, as all know who have Him. Get Him, and get all; miss Him and miss all."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #63. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:18 which reads: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Pulsford. He said, "Christ is in all His redeemed, as the soul of their soul, the life of their life. He is the pitying heart and the helping hand of God with every needy, praying spirit in the world. He is the sweet light of the knowledge of God that breaks in upon every penitent heart. He is not only with those who believe in Him and love Him, but also with those who neither believe in Him nor love Him, that He may be to them also Jesus their Saviour. The Christ of God is in thy heart, waiting and aiming to get the consent of thy will, that He may save thee. Wherever man is, there also is Christ, endeavoring to free him from the law of sin and death, by becoming Himself the law of the spirit of his life."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

In our last lesson we learned that there are two families in the world. The head of one of these families is Adam, the first man. The Head of the other family is Christ, God's second Man.

Some people think that God is the Father of all men, but this is not true. Only those who are in Christ's family have God as their Father. Those who are in Adam's family have Satan as their spiritual father. The Lord Jesus Himself said that God is not the Father of all men.

One day He was speaking to some religious leaders of the city of Jerusalem. These men claimed that God was their Father. But their hearts were bad, for they hated Jesus and wanted to kill Him. Jesus knew what was in their hearts, and He said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God..."

When Jesus said, "IF God were your Father..." He plainly showed that God was not their Father. To make it even clearer, He told them who their spiritual father was. He said, "You are of your father THE DEVIL...." So these men did not have God for their Father but rather, Satan.

The same thing is true of all who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, no one has to remain in Satan's family, for the Lord Jesus has made it possible for each one of us to become a child of God. The Bible calls this being "born again." We are going to see what it means to be born again.

In the third chapter of the Gospel of John, we read the account of a man named Nicodemus who came at night to talk to the Lord Jesus. This man was a member of the Pharisees, one of the most religious groups of that day. Nicodemus attended the synagogue faithfully. He prayed much. He gave money regularly. He did many good deeds. He knew the Scriptures well. He was a teacher of the Jews. Yet, he came to Jesus.

We do not know exactly why Nicodemus came, but he must have recognized that Jesus had the power of God in His life. And perhaps Nicodemus thought that Jesus could give him some new teaching on the Scriptures which would help him. But Nicodemus needed something more than teaching—he needed to be born again!

Jesus said to him, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

This statement must have shocked Nicodemus. Was he not a Jew, a member of God's chosen race? Was he not a good, moral man? Was he not a teacher among the Jews? Yes, Nicodemus was all of these things, but he was still a member of Adam's sinful family. He was not a child of God.

Jesus spoke again to Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

The Lord Jesus declared here the absolute necessity of being born again. This applied not only to Nicodemus, but it applies to every person. "You"—no matter who you are—"must be born again." We must be born "from above" of the Spirit of God. There is no other way of becoming a child of God.

In our next lesson, we will discuss the requirements for the New Birth -- faith, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God.

T. Austin-Sparks said, "You cannot go outside of A and Z in the realm of literature; likewise Christ Jesus is First and Last of God’s new creation, and all that is in between; you cannot get outside of that."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #62. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 Timothy 2:5-6 which reads: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Martin Bell. He said, "There Jesus is, in the temple again, causing trouble. Speaking very different from other preachers. Speaking with authority about sorrow, anxiety, sickness, and death. Penetrating the dark corners of human existence. Shattering illusion."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Today, we turn our attention to the word "traitors." Paul says that in the last days men will be "traitors." The Greek word here means someone who is a betrayer or treacherous. It is only used two other times in Scripture. It is used in Luke 6:16 to describe Judas Iscariot. And it is used in Acts 7:52 where Stephen charges the Jewish religious leaders with betraying the prophets and Jesus Christ.

Speaking of betraying Jesus Christ, just this week, it was reported in TIME magazine that a Nashville megachurch has pulled a Judas and betrayed Jesus Christ who suffered and died for all sin by turning its back on hundreds of years of church doctrine and declared that it would allow practicing homosexuals to not only be members of the church, but to receive communion, receive baptism, dedicate their children, marry, and serve in leadership. I don’t know anything else to call that, but a betrayal of God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, and what the church has stood for for the past two thousand years.

Jesus Christ spoke of this spirit of betrayal in the last days when He said in Matthew 10:21, "The brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death."

When we think of the word "traitor," we think of some infamous names in history: Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus, of course, but also Benedict Arnold who betrayed America; Brutus and Cassius who betrayed Caesar; Guy Fawkes who plotted to blow up the British Parliament; Ptolemy who invited Simon Maccabaeus and his brothers to dinner and then slaughtered them; Cain who killed his brother Abel; and Mordred who slew his father Arthur.

In Dante's epic poem Inferno, Hell has nine circles. The lowest of these circles is reserved for traitors. In the very center of this circle is Satan, imprisoned in a lake of ice, for his betrayal of God. Satan is depicted as having three heads, and in each of his mouths is one of the worst traitors in history -- Judas, Brutus, and Cassius -- being gnawed upon for eternity.

In our exploration of these sins which will be increasingly demonstrated in the lives of men and women during the end times, we have seen time and again how the sins named in this passage repeatedly point back to two sources: selfishness and Satan. This sin of betrayel points back to both as well. Often, we refer to Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden as "the original sin." But, perhaps, it would be better to apply this term to Satan's betrayal of God -- the very first act of rebellion in the universe. Everyone who engages in the sin of betrayal and treachery follows the path of the first traitor, Satan.

Not only is this sin tied to Satan, but it is also tied to selfishness. History shows us that people commit acts of betrayal for primarily personal reasons. Some do it for money; some do it for power; some do it to save their own skin; some do it for what they think is love. When someone commits adultery, they are betraying their spouse. When employees steal from the company they work for, they are betraying the trust of their boss. When politicians say one thing to get elected and do the opposite once they are in office, they are betraying the people who voted for them. When people who once claimed to be Christians turn against God and now say they are atheists -- a situation which has been highlighted in the news several times over the past few months -- they are betraying the One who loved them and gave Himself for them.

The painful thing about the act of being a traitor is that it occurs between people who are supposed to be friends or at least loyal to each other. Jesus Christ experienced this type of betrayal. His experience was spoken of prophetically by David in Psalm 55:12-13...

Fyodor Dostoevsky said, "I believe there is no one deeper, lovelier, more sympathetic and more perfect than Jesus—not only is there no one else like him, there never could be anyone like him."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #61. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 22:37 which reads: "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Daily Glory Devotions which reads, "Have you ever seen one of those paintings of Jesus where He is depicted as a tall lean blond man lounging in a field in a white robe holding a bunch of lambs? Who paints those things? This is not the image of our God as depicted in His word. Jesus was a rough and burly man. Full of fire and passion. A warrior when it came to doing battle against those who offended the sacred things of the Father. Yet, in a moment, able to touch a young child with hands of gentleness. To us the warrior is just as critical as the gentle shepherd. By His holy passion for righteousness we are continually moved on to perfection. By His gentle love we are continually comforted in our lessons of life. Let us never lose sight of the God who is a fierce warrior."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Anthony M. Coniaris said, "When all other doors in life are closed to us, Jesus will be for us the ever open door. If we really believe this then no situation in life will ever be hopeless. For to call any situation hopeless is to shut the door on God."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #60. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 10:9 which reads: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Billy Graham. He said, "The greatest need in the world is the transformation of human nature. We need a new heart that will not have lust and greed and hate in it. We need a heart filled with love and peace and joy, and that is why Jesus came into the world."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Today, we are going to look at the second building block of this prayer which is signalled by Jesus' words, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in Heaven." The word "kingdom" refers to the reign of God in Heaven and in Earth. His reign relates to His supreme and sovereign control over all things in the universe.

When Jesus Christ came to Earth, His arrival was a signal of two important events. The first being God's reign in the hearts, minds, and souls of men -- the spiritual kingdom; and the second being God's reign over the Earth and His defeat of Satan -- the physical kingdom. When Jesus Christ preached that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, at that time, He was referring to the spiritual kingdom. God had come down to man to repair the rift that sin had caused. In so doing, He began to rule and reign in men's hearts through the Holy Spirit. At first, John the Baptist and even the disciples did not understand this. They were looking for the physical, political kingdom of God to be manifested on Earth. However, Jesus Christ had come to first establish the spiritual kingdom of God. In this spiritual kingdom, people's sins are forgiven and washed away, they are made new creatures in Christ,and they begin to live as followers of Christ in a hostile world.

What does this mean for us when we pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done"? This means that our first request for the Kingdom of God ought to be for the establishing of God's rule in our hearts. When we pray, we ought to enthrone God in our hearts. We ought to let Him be front and center and let Him have His way in our lives.

We cannot pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done," without truly desiring that God's will be done in our hearts first. Oftentimes, we are busy trying to build our own little kingdoms here on Earth that we don't care about God's kingdom being built up and God's will being done. Some people are proud of the material possessions they have, and they spend their lives pursuing money and the means to get more stuff. God is not king in their lives -- self and money are on the throne of their hearts. Even in their prayers, they are only concerned about themselves and what they can get from God.

If we are truly to follow the model prayer, we must not pray in a way that puts our own needs and desires first. We must pray in a way that seeks the extension of God's kingdom and the accomplishment of God's will on earth. Charles Spurgeon said, "Let not your prayers be all concerning your own sins, your own wants, your own imperfections, and your own trials, but let them climb the starry ladder and get up to Christ Himself. Then, as you draw nigh to the blood-sprinkled mercy seat, offer this prayer continually, '﻿Lord, extend the kingdom of Your dear Son.' Such a petition, fervently presented, will elevate the spirit of all your devotions."

Now, as I mentioned earlier, there is another meaning to this prayer for God's kingdom to come and will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. The first meaning is for the here and now -- in our hearts and in our everyday lives. The second meaning involves our hope for the future...

Alan Redpath said, "Jesus became like us that He might make us like Him."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #59. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 6:35 which reads: "I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Alexander MacLaren. He said, "The risen life of Jesus is the nourishment and strengthening and blessing and life of a Christian. Our daily experience ought to be that there comes, wavelet by wavelet, that silent, gentle, and yet omnipotent influx into our empty hearts, this very life of Christ Himself."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Sir Lionel Luckhoo said, "I say unequivocally that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #58. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 13:8 which reads: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Willie Aames. He said, "I want kids to understand that strength doesn't come from what goes on around you. It comes from inside you, and that comes from Jesus Christ."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Napoleon Bonaparte said, "Christ alone has succeeded in so raising the mind of man towards the unseen that it has become insensible to the barriers of time and space."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #57. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 2:38 which reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Thomas Merton. He said, "God is everywhere. His truth and his love pervade all things as the light and the heat of the sun pervade our atmosphere. But...God does not touch our souls with the fire of supernatural knowledge and experience without Christ."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Oswald Chambers said, "The dearest friend on earth is a mere shadow compared to Jesus Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #56. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 8:37 which reads: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Kevin VanHoozer. He said, "The good news is that in the face of Jesus Christ we see the very face of God, the One who has decided to be with us and for us in spite of our sin."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

This past week, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died. He was 90 years old. For 10 years, he ruled one of the most powerful nations in the Middle East and was the head of the royal Al Saud family which is estimated to include over 15,000 members. Beginning on Friday, the heads of state and dignitaries from other countries began arriving in Saudi Arabia to pay their respects to this man and to meet his successor.

According to the Bible, if King Abdullah did not trust Jesus Christ as his Savior, he is in Hell right now. One day in the future, however, King Abdullah will be called before the Judge of the universe -- the King of kings, Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Although he himself was a king on earth, when this judgment takes place, King Abdullah will bow before Jesus Christ, for the Bible says "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow."

Dear friend, one day, you, too, will stand before the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. And no matter who you are, you will bow before Him. You might be wealthy, famous, well-respected in your field, or prominent in society, but everybody has to bow down to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. For some of us, this will be a joyous occasion. We will eagerly bow down to Jesus Christ because we already believe in Him as the Lord and Master of our lives. For others, however, the moment they meet Jesus Christ after they die will be a terrible occasion because they will regret that they never made the decision to get to know Him on Earth while they were alive. Maybe they laughed off the idea of him being the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Maybe they wrote it off as religious nonsense. But, when they meet Jesus face to face, they will realize how wrong they were.

I don’t want you to be one of those people. You can decide today to get to know Jesus Christ and make Him the Lord of your life. You can make Him your King right now. Here’s how:

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:20: "For there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not." Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death…"

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

Fourth, accept the fact that you cannot do anything to save yourself! The Bible states in Ephesians 2:8,9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Fifth, accept the fact that God loves you more than you love yourself, and that He wants to save you from hell. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Sixth, with these facts in mind, please repent of your sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and pray and ask Him to come into your heart and save you this very moment. The Bible states in the book of Romans 10:9,13: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

He is an offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. He played college football for Oklahoma State University and was named All-American twice. In 2009, he was awarded the Jim Parker Trophy, an award given yearly to the top collegiate offensive lineman. In 2010, he was drafted by the Seahawks. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012, helped his team win the Super Bowl in 2014, and helped his team win two back to back NFC Championship titles in 2013 and 2014.

He credits Dr. Joel Tudman, his pastor and assistance strength coach at Oklahoma State with guiding him in his spiritual journey after accepting Jesus Christ. He said of his faith in Christ, "Jesus is everything. And the great thing about Jesus is He'll meet you right where you're at. It's free. You don't have to earn it. You don't have to work for it. He gives it because he loves us and He is full of grace. "

He went on to say, "I intentionally bring Jesus Christ into my game by making sure I’m focused on Him when I step on the field. The Bible tells us to not fear or be dismayed and I take that knowledge with me every time I play. My favorite verse is: Romans 4:20 which says, “He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,” It reminds me that God has a promise for all of us and whatever that is in our lives will not come back void."

He often encourages children and young people to "make time to know God better through His Word. He’s put a hope in you, so learn more about it. Be able to defend it and teach people about what you believe in. God’s called us to do that on and off the field."

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

As we continue our series on Pilgrim's Progress According to the Bible, allow me to read from the story of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan as a prelude to our topic for today.

Then Christian began to go forward, but Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence would accompany him down to the foot of the hill. So they went on together, reiterating their former discourses, till they came to go down the hill. Then said Christian: "As it was difficult coming up, so far as I can see, it is dangerous going down." "Yes," said Prudence, "so it is, for it is a hard matter for a man to go down into the Valley of Humiliation, as you are doing now, and to catch no slip by the way." Therefore, said they, "are we come out to accompany you down the hill." So he began to go down, but very warily; yet he caught a slip or two.

Christian had just had a wonderful time at the Palace Beautiful. He had come up the Hill of Difficulty, was well rested, and had received a new suit of armor and provisions for his journey. However, as he sets out once again to go to the Celestial City, he learns that he must travel through the Valley of Humiliation.

Think about the word "humiliation" for a moment. What kind of thoughts or feelings come to mind when you hear that word? No doubt, you have a negative reaction to the word "humiliation." When we think of humiliation, we think of being embarrassed or put to shame. We think of failing in a very public and noticeable way. We think of being laughed at. We think of walking into a room and immediately people start whispering because of something we said or did in the past. One dictionary defines humiliation as "the abasement of pride, which creates mortification or leads to a state of being humbled or reduced to lowliness or submission."

Even though we may think negatively of the idea of humiliation, lowliness, submission, or brokenness, the Bible is replete with the importance of this subject in God's eyes. The more common term in the Bible is humility. Notice these verses:

Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”

Proverbs 16:18-19 says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

As we continue our series on Pilgrim's Progress According to the Bible, allow me to read from the story of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan as a prelude to our topic for today.

Then Christian began to go forward, but Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence would accompany him down to the foot of the hill. So they went on together, reiterating their former discourses, till they came to go down the hill. Then said Christian: "As it was difficult coming up, so far as I can see, it is dangerous going down." "Yes," said Prudence, "so it is, for it is a hard matter for a man to go down into the Valley of Humiliation, as you are doing now, and to catch no slip by the way." Therefore, said they, "are we come out to accompany you down the hill." So he began to go down, but very warily; yet he caught a slip or two.

Christian had just had a wonderful time at the Palace Beautiful. He had come up the Hill of Difficulty, was well rested, and had received a new suit of armor and provisions for his journey. However, as he sets out once again to go to the Celestial City, he learns that he must travel through the Valley of Humiliation.

Think about the word "humiliation" for a moment. What kind of thoughts or feelings come to mind when you hear that word? No doubt, you have a negative reaction to the word "humiliation." When we think of humiliation, we think of being embarrassed or put to shame. We think of failing in a very public and noticeable way. We think of being laughed at. We think of walking into a room and immediately people start whispering because of something we said or did in the past. One dictionary defines humiliation as "the abasement of pride, which creates mortification or leads to a state of being humbled or reduced to lowliness or submission."

Even though we may think negatively of the idea of humiliation, lowliness, submission, or brokenness, the Bible is replete with the importance of this subject in God's eyes. The more common term in the Bible is humility. Notice these verses:

Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”

Proverbs 16:18-19 says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Romans 5:19: "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

In part one and part two of this lesson, we contrasted the "first man", Adam, with the "second man", Jesus Christ. Adam disobeyed God and caused the entire human race which descended from him to be a race of sinners. However, when Jesus Christ came, the Bible tells us that He "became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Jesus Christ did what Adam (and none of us) have done -- be perfectly obedient to God throughout our entire lives. Because Jesus Christ is sinless, He is the perfect sacrifice for our sins. On the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins so that we would not have to. Today, there are two races of people in the world -- Adam's sinful race, and Jesus' righteous race. As Romans 5:19 says, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Of course, we who are in Jesus' race are only righteous because of what Jesus Christ did for us.

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the most important events in the history of the universe. The Cross of Jesus Christ is God's master plan for dealing with the sinful human race and with Satan and his rebellious hosts of fallen angels.

When Jesus died on the cross, Satan thought that he had achieved a great victory. But he was mistaken. The very cross by which Satan meant to end the life of the Son of God became his own undoing. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God destroyed the works of the devil and set free those whom he had enslaved. The Bible says in Hebrews 2:14-15: "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."

After He died on the cross, Jesus Christ was buried, and He rose from the dead three days later. He appeared on the earth for forty days after His resurrection and was seen by many people. On one occasion, He appeared to over 500 of His disciples. Before He ascended back into Heaven, He commanded His disciples to go into all the world and to preach the Gospel to every creature. He gave them this wonderful promise in Matthew 28:20, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

As the disciples watched, the Lord Jesus was taken up from them and a cloud received Him out of their sight. In His glorified, resurrected body, the Lord Jesus left the earth and, passing through the clouds, He went back into Heaven.

God made His second Man, Jesus Christ, to be Lord of all. There is a beautiful passage in the book of Philippians which tells how the Lord Jesus humbled Himself and how the Father has exalted Him. Philippians 2:8-11 reads: "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

God the Father has not only made Jesus Christ to be Lord of all, but He has also made Him to be the Head of a new family. This new family is called the children of God.

Now there are two families in the world. Each of these families has a head. Adam is the head of the sinful family which he produced and Jesus Christ is the Head of the new family called the children of God. Each one of us when we were born, became a member of Adam's sinful race. But now, by His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to be born again...

Corrie Ten Boom said, "You may never know that JESUS is all you need, until JESUS is all you have."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #55. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 6:11 which reads: "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from George V. Voinovich. He said, "Those without faith experience a longing and an emptiness that this earth cannot fill. I see evidence of that spiritual hunger almost every day in my job as Governor. Without my personal acceptance of Jesus Christ, I could not keep going."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Today, we are going to look at the word "false accusers." Paul says that in the last days, there will be an increase in false accusers. The Greek word for false accusers is "diabolos," from which in some languages, the word "devil" is derived. The word literally means "throw between." Thus, we see that the intent of a "diabolos" is to divide people against each other. This word is also translated "slanderer" or "malicious gossiper."

Our passage points out that there are people in the world who have that same diabolical spirit. A simple Google search will reveal thousands of so called “gossip blogs” that engage in spreading information about others that is often misleading, damaging to people’s character, or completely untrue. According to the Fordham Law School, “Defamation is the communication of a false statement of fact that harms the reputation of a victim, and includes libel, which covers written published statements, and slander, which covers spoken statements.” Statistics from the Citizen Media Law Project at Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society show that defamation lawsuits are on the rise, increasing from one year to the next by 68%. A few years ago, A woman in Florida was awarded $11.3 million in a defamation lawsuit against a woman in Louisiana who posted messages on the Internet accusing her of being a "crook," a "con artist" and a "fraud."

Now, the Bible is unequivocal that the person who falsely accuses, who slanders, who gossips, or who seeks to divide others, particularly in the body of Christ, is doing the devil's work. Revelation reveals the devil to be the "accuser of the brethren." He attempts to create division between God and His people by hurling accusations of sin and wrongdoing against us before God. He did it to Job. He told God that Job only loved God because of how God had blessed Job. He wanted to drive a wedge of division between God and his servant. He knew that God would not abandon Job, so he tried to get Job to turn his back on God, and that is what he seeks to do to us today.

This, however, is not just an issue in the world, but in the church as well. Some Christians seek to drive a wedge between brothers and sisters in Christ, between friends, and between family members. They will go behind your back and talk about you to another family member or to your best friend just to get that family member or friend to turn against you. They delight in seeing relationships ruined, marriages broken, and churches divided. You can probably think of a time in your life when someone you thought you had a good relationship with suddenly turned on you because of the gossip, slander, or false accusations of someone else.

Perhaps, you can remember a time when your words -- either deliberately or unintentionally -- were used to cause division. I am reminded of James' words: "The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." How many times has your tongue been used as deadly poison to defame or hurt others?

Soren Kierkegaard said, "Christ has not only spoken to us by his life but has also spoken for us by his death."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #54. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 14:23 which reads: "And when he [Jesus] had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, all hell terribly afraid of it, while men are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Ted Dekker said, "The greatest hero that exists today without a doubt is Jesus Christ...The one story that's most exciting to us and to Him is that story when He defeats evil."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #52. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 5:1 which reads: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Randy Johnson. He said, "I think everybody realizes there is a Lord Jesus Christ. Whether they're committed to Him or not, it's gonna be important to them before they die to make that decision. We're talking eternal life—we're talking forever."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

The incomparable Andrae Crouch said in one of his famous songs, "Jesus is the answer, for the world today, Above Him there's no other, Jesus is the way."

Millions of people around the world were touched by the life and music of Andrae Crouch. I was one of them. I remember as a little boy watching the Dallas Cowboys play and listening to Andrae Crouch's songs playing in the background. Although I was not saved as a young person, I heard and loved Andrae's songs even though I did not really know what they meant.

Today, however, I do know what those songs mean because I know the Jesus whom Andrae Crouch wrote and sung about. In his song, "Jesus is Lord," Andrae wrote:

Jesus, He was sent from the Father,
Jesus, He's a great Messiah.
Jesus, He's bread for the hungry,
Jesus, He's water for the thirsty.
Jesus, He's a friend to the friendless.
Jesus, He's hope for the hopeless.
Jesus, He arose from the dead,
Jesus, just like He said.

Andrae Crouch's songs were simple and easy to understand. They spoke very plainly of the Gospel and the way of salvation. They also spoke of what it means to trust in God and follow Him throughout your life. One of Andrae's most beloved songs was "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power." It goes like this:

The blood that Jesus shed for me,
way back on Calvary;
the blood that gives me strength
from day to day,
it will never lose its power.

It reaches to the highest mountain,
it flows to the lowest valley;
the blood that gives me strength
from day to day,
it will never lose its power.

It soothes my doubts and calms my fears,
and it dries all my tears;
the blood that gives me strength
from day to day,
it will never lose its power.

Dear friend, there is power in the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth in the form of a man to pay for the sins of the whole world. According to God's standards, the penalty of sin is death. For hundreds of years, God allowed people to atone for (or make amends for) their sins by sacrificing and shedding the blood of an animal such as a lamb. However, this shedding of blood was only a temporary solution to man's sinfulness. Every time a person sinned, they had to sacrifice another lamb or goat. When Jesus Christ came to Earth, He was heralded as the 'Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.' When Jesus Christ was whipped and crucified, He shed His holy blood as God poured out his divine wrath on His own Son in order to make it possible for us to be saved from our sins and the eternal consequences of sin. The Bible says that God saw the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross -- God saw Jesus' blood being poured out -- and He was satisfied. God sees Jesus' sacrifice and bloodshed as sufficient payment for each and every one of us no matter how much wrong we have done. Simply put, Jesus Christ had atoned for the sins of the whole world. And even though millions of people have taken advantage of Jesus' sacrifice down through the past 2,000 years, Jesus' blood will never lose its power.

Andrae Crouch said, "Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him, there's no other; Jesus is the way."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #52. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 5:1 which reads: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Andrae Crouch. He said, "I don't know why Jesus loved me. I don't know why He cared. I don't know why He sacrificed His life. Oh, but I'm glad, I'm glad He did."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

We just wrapped up a mini-series titled 10 Prayer Principles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those 10 principles which have led us and prepared us for the beginning of this mini-series are as follows:

1. Prayer should be a regular, everyday activity.
2. Prayer ought not to be done for the purpose of being seen by others.
3. Those who pray in a hypocritical manner -- that is to be seen by men -- will get their reward: they will be heard by men, and receive their praise from men, but they will not have their prayers answered by God.
4. Most prayer ought to be carried out faithfully in private before God alone.
5. Those who pray in secret before God will be heard by God and rewarded openly.
6. We should not use vain repetition in our prayers.
7. We ought to acknowledge God's sovereignty and omniscience in our prayers.
8. We ought to follow the Lord’s Prayer as a model in our prayer life.
9. Our prayers do not have to be long in order to be effective.
10. Our prayers ought to encompass the six essential parts contained in the Lord’s Prayer.

In our last message, we talked about these six essential parts. Those parts are as follows:

1. We praise and recognize God.
2. We put God’s will before ours.
3. We ask for our daily needs.
4. We confess our sins and ask for forgiveness of sin.
5. We ask God to deliver us from temptation and evil.
6. We praise and recognize God’s glory once again.

In this message, we are going to look at the first part of this prayer in order that we might learn to pray better and be more effective in our prayer life.

In our prayers, we ought to praise and recognize God. Jesus says, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." When we acknowledge God as our Father, we are acknowledging Him as our "nourisher, protector, upholder." That is what the Greek word for Father used here means - “nourisher, protector, upholder”.

Jesus draws us to notice what one writer called "the God-centeredness of prayer and indeed of all of life." Many of us struggle with selfishness. It is easy to think that prayer is all about what God can do for us and what we can get from God. But prayer is an act of humility to God and a demonstration of childlike trust in God. Just as a young child depends on his parents for the supply of his every need, we ought to depend on God for the supply of our every need. J.I. Packer said, "If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God's child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all. For everything that Christ taught is summed up in the knowledge of the Fatherhood of God. 'Father' is the Christian name for God."

When we acknowledge God as our Father in our prayers, we are not only admitting that He is the One whom we are looking to for the answer of our prayers, but we are making the decision to put the things that concern God first. In our prayers, we ought to put His will and His purposes before any of our own temporal concerns. His name is hallowed -- set apart, holy, and sanctified -- above us and above everything and everyone else in the universe. No one is more important than He is. That is what it means to acknowledge God as our Father in Heaven whose name is holy.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

But, even as we recognize God's holiness in our prayers, this does not mean He is distant or removed from us. He is still "our Father who art in Heaven."...

Clement of Alexandria said, "The Lord has turned all our sunsets into sunrise."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #51. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 3:3 which reads: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Joseph Parker. He said, "Humans need Jesus Christ as a necessity and not as a luxury. You may be pleased to have flowers, but you must have bread.... Jesus is not a phenomenon, He is bread: Christ is not a curiosity, He is water. As surely as we cannot live without bread, we cannot live truly without Christ: If we know not Christ we are not living, our movement is a mechanical flutter, our pulse is but the stirring of an animal life."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Martin Luther King Jr. said, "There is a little tree hanging on a little hill, and on that tree hangs the most influential character that ever came into this world."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #50. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 28:18 which reads: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from St. Irenaeus. He said, "If God never became flesh, he could neither redeem us nor reveal to us his promise of eternal life. It is only by becoming like us that God can make us like him, restoring us in his image."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

He is an accomplished football quarterback. In high school, he played football and was a standout track and field athlete. As a senior in high school, he led his team to an 11-1 record and the state title while being named Interscholastic League of Honolulu Offensive Player of the Year. He was offered a scholarship to play college football at the University of Oregon and was the starting quarterback for the Ducks from 2012 to 2014.

In 2012, he was named Pac-12 All-Conference 1st Team, Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year, and earning the 2013 Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP Award. In 2013, he earned Pac-12 All-Conference 1st Team honors for the second consecutive year. He was named both Fiesta Bowl MVP and Alamo Bowl MVP, and the Ducks emerged as champions in both the Fiesta Bowl and the Alamo Bowl. In 2014, he was awarded the Davey O'Brien Award, the Walter Camp Award, and the Maxwell Award given to the nation's best football player. Among many other honors, in 2014, he became the first Duck in the University of Oregon's history to win the Heisman Trophy. He led his team to victory in the 2015 Rose Bowl and declared for the 2015 NFL Draft a few days after playing in the National Championship.

In an interview with The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he said of his faith: "Being a football player, faith plays a huge role. When things start to get rough you find comfort in your faith. Knowing that no matter what, you can dust yourself off and be okay. And you know you do it for God's glory. You do it for your teammates, your family, but also for His glory and to represent His name."

"Going through the challenges of the season, my faith has been the steadying force that's pushed me, along with my family, my friends and my teammates. Losing -- especially here [at Oregon] -- is tough. We have high expectations as a program to go and win national championships. It's a huge pressure, but you learn a lot about yourself through it. [My Coach] has helped me learn that football doesn't define me. It's just what I do. That was a huge life lesson for me. I really took that and ran with it. My faith is what keeps me going and I can always grow in that."

He went on to say, "I think as an athlete when you're able to go out there and have the abilities that the Lord has blessed you with, you want to glorify Him. You want to go out there to represent Him in the right light. To represent your family in the right light and to do that through His power. Since I've been here at Oregon, I think my faith has grown tremendously. In high school, I learned about God and Jesus Christ, but I wasn't really invested in it. I think getting involved with FCA really introduced me into my walk and into my journey. I'm not perfect, but I'm encouraged everyday to continue to open up in my faith. I've learned that no matter what, my faith will guide me. However I play on the field, I know my faith will guide me. After sports, my faith will guide me. As I've grown in my faith, that's something that's given me comfort. God has taught me that I can trust in Him. No matter what–whether things are good or bad -- I know I can always trust in Him. And that has really allowed me to go All In for Him."

Plastic surgery is big business around the world. In 2013, nearly 12 million nonsurgical procedures took place. The International Business Times reports an increase in young people seeking plastic surgery due to what has been called "selfie imperfections."The article states, "In response to the current obsession with social media selfie photos, more people are resorting to plastic surgery to fix imperfections like prominent noses, unacceptable wrinkles or curves, or hands that don't look perfect in Instagram wedding ring announcement photos."

While millions of people obsess about their outward appearance, their real concern out to be about the part of them that they can’t see and that no one else can see. It's not the outside that needs a re-make. It's the inside -- the soul -- that needs the surgery. On the inside, people are messed up because of their own sins, failures, and faults that leave them feeling guilty, inadequate, and even unworthy of success or the finer things of life.

God does not want you to live under the pressure of constantly trying to fix your problems by fixing up your physical appearance. Changing how you look will not change your personality, make you a better person, or make you act nicer toward others. It’s the inside -- the part of you that you can’t see -- that needs to be fixed. And God is the only one who can fix a person on the inside. He can heal your soul. He already knows your sins and failures. He already knows your darkest secrets. In Jeremiah 16:17, God says, "Mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes." Ecclesiastes 12:14 also says, "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." You can't hide anything from God.

Not only does He know all about your faults and failures, but He has done something about them. Two thousand years ago, he sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and accept the punishment that you deserve for your sins, failures, and faults. Jesus Christ shed his own blood so you would not have to. And 1 John 1:7 says, "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

Today, you can bring everything in your past that you have been trying to hide from others before the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will wash you, cleanse you, and make you a new person on the inside. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Would you like to be made a new person on the inside? Would you like to have your soul washed, cleansed, and made brand new through the blood of Jesus Christ? Would you like for Jesus Christ to do surgery on your soul, to fix what you can't see? If so, there are a few steps you must take.

Edward Caswall said, "Jesus, the very thought of Thee with sweetness fills the breast."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #49. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 8:10 which reads: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Samuel Rutherford. He said, "Jesus Christ came into my prison cell last night, and every stone flashed like a ruby."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Romans 5:19: "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

As the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus came to bear the sins of the whole world. The first man, Adam, brought sin on the whole world, but the second man, Jesus Christ, bore our sins and took them away. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that God "hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

In the Garden of Gethsemane, as He thought about how He would be made sin for us, the Lord Jesus fell on His face and prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me...." So great was His agony that His sweat became as great drops of blood. But here, as always, He was obedient to the will of His Father, and He prayed, "...nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou will."

The Lord Jesus was taken into the court of the Roman governor, Pilate. There He was stripped and beaten with a whip made of hundreds of leather thongs, each of which contained a piece of sharp metal or bone at its tip to cut into the flesh. He was mocked and spit upon. His face was marred as no man's face had ever been marred. A crown of thorns was mockingly placed on His head. He was given a cross to bear to Calvary, the place of His execution.

At Calvary, Satan did his utmost to prevent Jesus from being the perfect Saviour. But, in spite of all that Satan did, Jesus continued to love God with all His heart. He continued to trust His Father. He continued to love His fellow man. He refused to pity Himself. He would not save Himself. He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

At the end of His life, God's second Man could say, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."

The body in which the Lord Jesus had lived for thirty-three years was taken down from the cross, tenderly wrapped in grave clothes, and placed in the tomb of a rich man. For three days and three nights, His body lay in the tomb. Then something miraculous happened. Jesus was raised from the dead by the mighty power of God!

God's second Man had been obedient to His Father in all things. Death could not hold Him. He rose from the grave—the Victor forever over sin, death, and Satan. The Lord Jesus appeared to His disciples in His resurrected body and showed them the nail prints in His hands and the mark of the spear in His side.

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the most important events in the history of the universe. The Cross of Jesus Christ is God's master plan for dealing with the sinful human race and with Satan and his rebellious hosts of fallen angels.

When Jesus died on the cross, Satan thought that he had achieved a great victory. But he was never more mistaken. The very cross which Satan meant to end the life of the Son of God became his own undoing. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God destroyed the works of the devil and set free those whom he had enslaved. The Bible says in Hebrews 2:14-15: "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Jesus Christ, the second Adam, had done what was necessary for us to be free from the bondage of sin.

In Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, the main character, Christian, receives a suit of armor to put on as he prepares to continue his journey to the Celestial City. Bunyan writes, “The next day they took him and had him into the Armory, where they shewed
him all manner of armor, which their Lord had provided for Pilgrims, as
Sword, Shield, Helmet, Breastplate, All-prayer, and Shoes that would not
wear out. And there was here enough of this to harness out as many men for the
service of their Lord as there be stars in the Heaven for multitude.“ We, too, face enemies and danger in our walk with Christ, and God has given us armor to put on. So far, in this series, we have looked at six pieces of armor that God has supplied for us as we face spiritual battle every day :

1. The belt of truth.
2. The breastplate of righteousness.
3. The shoes of the Gospel of peace.
4. The shield of faith.
5. The helmet of salvation.
6. The sword of the Spirit -- the Word of God.

After a very detailed discussion on the pieces of armor that a Christian needs to put on, one might think that that is all there is too it. But it isn't. There is one more thing we must do in order to be battle ready. No, it is not another piece of armor. But, based on the way Paul talks about it, it is extremely important. It is prayer.

Three times in a single verse, Paul urges us to engage in prayer as part of our warfare. First, he says we ought to be "praying always,” that is we ought to be in a constant spirit of prayer. We ought to pray "in every season" and at "every opportunity." Second, he says, “with all prayer,” that is with all forms of prayer which we will discuss shortly today. Third, he says, “and with supplication,” that is to make our requests, in the name of Christ, for things that are in God’s will.

In his commentary on Ephesians, John MacArthur writes, "All the while that we are fighting in the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, we are to be in prayer. Prayer is the very spiritual air that the soldier of Christ breathes. It is the all-pervasive strategy in which warfare is fought."

Because spiritual warfare is a constant struggle, we ought to be constantly praying. The Bible commands us to "pray without ceasing." But, what does it mean to pray with "all prayer and supplication." This means that we should not hesitate to engage in prayer in all its forms -- whether alone or with others, in private or in public, silent prayer or praying aloud -- all prayer is to be engaged.

Scholars have found in the Bible eight types of prayer. Allow me to share them with you.

We have been looking at some of the specific signs which the Bible says will become increasingly evident in the behavior and lifestyle of people during the end times. In this series, we have looked at the following, all of which are mentioned in this passage:

1. The increased selfishness of man.
2. The increased lawlessness of man.
3. The increased religiosity of man.
4. Increased blasphemy or rejection of God.
5. Increased ingratitude or unthankfulness among men.
6. An increase in unholy living.
7. A lack of natural affection among people for their family members, others, and even themselves.

Today, picking up where we left off in this passage, we are going to look at the word "trucebreakers" -- another evidence of the perilous times that we live in and a sign that the return of Jesus Christ is ever closer. The Greek word translated "trucebreakers" literally means irreconcilable: those who are unwilling to be at peace with others, bitter haters, unyielding, covenant breakers, implacable, unforgiving, and not capable of being appeased. The Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines a trucebreaker as one who violates a truce, covenant, or engagement. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition defines a truce as a temporary cessation or suspension of hostilities by agreement of the opposing sides; an armistice or a respite from a disagreeable state of affairs.

A person who is irreconcilable is one who refuses to lay aside division and disagreement even when a solution or resolution is being provided. These are people who are constantly at war with others. It is almost as if they cannot live without conflict.

People who break their promises, breach contracts in business, or break agreements in the political world fall into this category. Older people sometimes reminisce about the time when a man's word was his bond, when he would tell you that he was going to do something, and the only assurance you got was a handshake. But, today, we are living in times where trucebreakers abound. Whenever you make a financial transaction or some other type of agreement, you have to read the fine print and sign on the dotted line today no matter how trustworthy you or the other party claims to be.

G.K. Chesterton said, "Christ did not love humanity. He never said that He loved humanity. He loved men."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #48. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 10:9 which reads: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Matthew Simpson. He said, "If you live for any joy on earth, you may be forsaken; but, oh, live for Jesus, and He will never forsake you!"

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

George Washington Carver said, "The Lord has guided me, and without my Saviour, I am nothing."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #47. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Revelation 3:20 which reads: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "The whole Christ seeks after each sinner, and when the Lord finds it, he gives himself to that one soul as if he had but that one soul to bless. How my heart admires the concentration of all the Godhead and humanity of Christ in his search after each sheep of his flock."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

John Stott said, "So close was Christ’s connection with God that he equated a man’s attitude to himself with the man’s attitude to God."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #46. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 4:12 which reads: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Edith Schaeffer. She said, "Don't be fearful about the journey ahead; don't worry about where you are going or how you are going to get there. If you believe in the first person of the Trinity, God the Father, also believe in the second person of the Trinity, the one who came as the Light of the World, not only to die for people, but to light the way... This one, Jesus Christ, is himself the Light and will guide your footsteps along the way."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

In the first seven messages in this series, we have looked at seven principles or instructions that Jesus gave regarding prayer. Those seven instructions on prayer, which came in the midst of a message regarding hypocrisy in doing good deeds and in fasting, lay the groundwork for the next thing Jesus shares -- and that is what is commonly called "The Lord's Prayer."

So, first Jesus taught by instruction, and now He is teaching by example -- by actually showing us what to do.

Strictly speaking, this prayer should actually be called "The Disciples' Prayer," as it was not a prayer Jesus himself prayed. For example, Jesus Christ would have no need to ask for forgiveness of sins in His own prayers. He said that for our sakes.

Today, we are going to look at the value of this prayer as a model prayer. Jesus Christ said, "after this manner therefore pray ye." The word "manner" means pattern or guide. Jesus is laying out the framework of prayer for the Christian. We can look at this prayer as a structure upon which we can build our own prayers. There is nothing wrong with praying this prayer as you see fit, however it was not intended to be a prayer that we recite ritualistically. Nor is it intended to be the only prayer that we pray.

Charles Spurgeon said, "It seems to me that Christ gave [the Lord's Prayer] as a model, whereby we are to fashion all our prayers, and I think we may use it to edification, and with great sincerity and earnestness, at certain times and seasons."

There are two components to the value of this prayer as a model for all our other prayers.

1. The size or length of the prayer. Jesus did not give us a long prayer to pray nor did He give us a series of statements to repeat over and over again. It only takes a minute to prayer the Lord's prayer itself. The length of this prayer is in keeping with Jesus' instructions in previous verses to not use vain repetitions or mindless utterings in our prayers. Brother Lawrence wrote about the value of praying short prayers, and one of the benefits to praying short prayers is that it keeps our minds from wandering to other topics.

2. The second component of the Lord's prayer is the structure of the prayer. When we look closely, we see a pattern in how Jesus organizes the model prayer.

First, we are to praise and recognize God. "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

Second, we are to put God's will before ours. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

Third, we are to ask for our daily needs. "Give us this day our daily bread."

Fourth, we are to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness of sin. "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

Fifth, we are to ask God to deliver us from temptation and sin. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Sixth, we praise and recognize God's glory once again. "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

Blaise Pascal said, "Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; we do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #45. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Galatians 3:28 which reads: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Samuel Rutherford. He said, "My advice to you is, take a house next door to the Physician, for it will be very singular if you should prove to be the very first He ever turned away unhealed."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Henry Drummond said, "Every character has an inward spring; let Christ be that spring. Every action has a keynote; let Christ be that note, to which your whole life is attuned."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #44. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 8:58 which reads: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from James Innell Packer. He said, "The most excellent study of expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and Him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #43. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 8:24 which reads: "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Matthew Arnold. He said, "Jesus Christ and His precepts are found to hit the moral experience of mankind; to hit it in the critical points; to hit it lastingly; and when doubts are thrown upon their really hitting it, then to come out stronger than ever."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #42. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 19:25-26 which reads: "When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Paul Westphal. He said, "More than anything, it's my relationship with Jesus Christ. I don't think anything is important in comparison to living for your Creator. Everything has to come from that foundation. Nothing really matters in the big picture other than what you do for the Lord."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Romans 5:19: "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

God created the first man, Adam, because He wanted a race of people who would glorify Him, but Adam rebelled against God. In our last lesson we saw the terrible results of Adam's disobedience. Not only did Adam become a sinner himself, but he also produced a race of sinners. Instead of having God's life within them, men became separated from God because of sin. Instead of having God's nature, men became sinful and self-centered. Instead of ruling over the earth, men became slaves of sin and Satan.

How could this race of sinful men glorify God and fulfill His purpose? The answer is: It could not.

However, God still wanted a race of people who would glorify Him. But how would God bring this about? He would do it through another man! Since ruin came to the human race through one man -- Adam, God would provide salvation for the human race through one man -- Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous."

God chose His only begotten Son to be this second Man. First Corinthians 15:47 says, "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second Man is the Lord from Heaven." To make our salvation possible, God would send His own Son into the world. He would die for the sins of all men. Then He would rise again to become the Head of a new race—the children of God. By His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus would make it possible for us to get out of Adam's sinful race and to become the children of God. Now let's see how God did this.

The first step was the Incarnation. What do we mean when we speak of the Incarnation? We mean that God became a man. How marvelous are the words, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among US...." The One who created man became a Man Himself. This is truly a great mystery.

An even greater mystery is the means by which God became a human being. The first man, Adam, was created as a full-grown man, but the second Man, Jesus Christ, entered the human race as a tiny baby.

The Lord Jesus was born of a virgin. He did not have a human father. Who, then, was His father? His Father was God! Mary, His mother, was engaged to marry Joseph; but before they came together in marriage, an angel appeared to Mary and said, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

The angel also appeared to Joseph and said, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins."

Jesus Christ is called the God-Man because He was perfect God and perfect Man. He was God because God was His Father, and He was Man because Mary was His mother. He was one with God, and He was one with the human race. He is called "the Son of God" because He is the only begotten Son of God the Father. He is called "the Son of Man" because He represents all men. The Bible says, "...great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh...."

Why did the Son of God come to this earth as a man? For two very important reasons.

1. He came to make a way for us to get out of Adam's sinful race and into the family of God. This is what it means to be saved.

2. He came to destroy the works of the devil. First John 3:8 says, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."

In Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, the main character, Christian, receives a suit of armor to put on as he prepares to continue his journey to the Celestial City. He needs this armor because He will meet with enemies and danger along the way, and he will often have to fight to proceed on his journey. We, too, face enemies and danger in our walk with Christ, and God has given us armor to put on. So far, in this series on the armor that God has supplied, we have looked at five pieces of that armor:

1. The belt of truth -- the truth of God's Word is the foundation to any successful spiritual warfare.

2. The breastplate of righteousness -- we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ and we must determine to live in obedience to God if we are to be victorious in spiritual warfare.

3. The shoes of the Gospel of peace -- part of our job as Christians is to faithfully carry the message of the Gospel wherever we go.

4. The shield of faith -- our faith in God and in His Word will enable us to deflect and extinguish Satan's fiery darts.

5. The helmet of salvation -- this crucial piece of armor protects our minds against the insidious attacks of the enemy on our assurance of salvation.

Today, we are going to look at the sixth piece of armor -- the sword of the spirit. The Bible leaves no mystery as to what this piece of armor does. It says take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

As we noticed on last week, this command is preceded by the action verb “take." Our spiritual warfare is not like what you see in Star Wars where a lightsaber that is lost in battle automatically floats back into the hands of a fighter. We must physically take up the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God.

Now, the sword is the only offensive weapon which the Christian is given as part of his armor. If we are going to attack the enemy, nothing else will be effective against him. Our words will not work. The words of a popular preacher or a motivational speaker will not work. The words you find in some book on spirituality -- no matter how good of a book it is -- will not work. The only words that are effective against Satan and the kingdom of darkness are the words of God found in the Bible.

How does the Word of God translate into our use of it as a sword? Think of a real soldier using a real sword. He is not just given a sword and sent into battle. No, first he is trained to use his sword. At first he may be trained with a wooden stick, then he may begin using a blunt sword, and finally he is given a real sword. He is instructed on how to thrust, parry, and deflect the blows of his enemy. He goes through many hours of training on the use of the sword until his training becomes reflexes and his reflexes become instincts. And, then, he is ready for battle.

In Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, the main character, Christian, receives a suit of armor to put on as he prepares to continue his journey to the Celestial City. He needs this armor because He will meet with enemies and danger along the way, and he will often have to fight to proceed on his journey. We, too, face enemies and danger in our walk with Christ, and God has given us armor to put on. So far, in this series on the armor that God has supplied, we have looked at five pieces of that armor:

1. The belt of truth -- the truth of God's Word is the foundation to any successful spiritual warfare.

2. The breastplate of righteousness -- we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ and we must determine to live in obedience to God if we are to be victorious in spiritual warfare.

3. The shoes of the Gospel of peace -- part of our job as Christians is to faithfully carry the message of the Gospel wherever we go.

4. The shield of faith -- our faith in God and in His Word will enable us to deflect and extinguish Satan's fiery darts.

5. The helmet of salvation -- this crucial piece of armor protects our minds against the insidious attacks of the enemy on our assurance of salvation.

Today, we are going to look at the sixth piece of armor -- the sword of the spirit. The Bible leaves no mystery as to what this piece of armor does. It says take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

As we noticed on last week, this command is preceded by the action verb "take." Our spiritual warfare is not like what you see in Star Wars where a lightsaber that is lost in battle automatically floats back into the hands of a fighter. We must physically take up the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God.

Now, the sword is the only offensive weapon which the Christian is given as part of his armor. If we are going to attack the enemy, nothing else will be effective against him. Our words will not work. The words of a popular preacher or a motivational speaker will not work. The words you find in some book on spirituality -- no matter how good of a book it is -- will not work. The only words that are effective against Satan and the kingdom of darkness are the words of God found in the Bible.

He is the vice-president of player relations for the Indiana Pacers as well as the lead college basketball analyst for CBS Sports. After playing college basketball for Ohio State, he went on to play for the NBA's Indiana Pacers from 1982–1986. In 1983, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

He said of his faith, "Growing up in a loving two-parent household, I don't recall going to church much but know my four siblings and I were raised with Judeo-Christian values. I acknowledged the existence of God, but had no real concept of what a relationship with Him was about. Like many of us, I thought doing good things and making my parents and others proud would please God."

After recovery from a third knee surgery in 1985, he said, "I began thinking about my purpose in life. A local minister started conducting chapel services prior to NBA games. Curious about the peace he had, I asked him to walk me and my wife through the Bible and teach us about God. I learned God loves us, gives us life and breath, and has an ultimate plan for our lives. He wants us to know and worship Him, but sin (falling short of God's mark) creates a gap between man and a holy God. However, God, because of His great love, provides His son, Jesus Christ to bridge the gap. Through faith in Christ all can be forgiven of sin, made new, and eternal life can be yours."

He went on to say, "No matter what role I embrace, my faith remains my foundation. Christ is my all and the driver of my life. He permeates my very being and impacts everything I do. Through prayer, patience and asking Him to work through me, I realize I'm always an ambassador for Him. Whether I'm broadcasting, being a husband and father, mentoring guys, or interacting with colleagues, that's who I am. I'm a Christ-follower and all that I think, do and say is influenced by that. I'm a representative of Christ, and I have the living Christ alive in me through God's grace. That will always flow out of me as I stay close to Him."

This past week, the world watched as scenes of terror unfolded in the City of Light -- Paris, France. Two Islamic extremists walked into the offices of a weekly satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, and opened fire killing five of the magazine’s cartoonists, an economist, two police officers, and four others. Eleven people were also wounded, some of them critically.

The men who carried out the attacks claimed they were avenging the Prophet Muhammad over some cartoons of him which the newspaper had printed in 2012. While some might question the wisdom of printing such material which is known to be offensive to Muslims, many have rallied behind the magazine in support of free speech and the freedom of the press. After all, one of the biggest factors behind the cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo is that it is satire -- humorous commentary meant to generate laughs while also pointing out (and poking fun at) the vices, folly, shortcomings, or abuses of others. Surely, something so harmless could not possibly become the target of a violent terror attack.

But, on January 7, 2015, it did.

And, during that attack, each of those who died or who faced death also faced the seriousness of eternity. Even the most lighthearted person would quickly sober as he thinks of death and what lies beyond.

Some in our world today like to joke about death and eternity. At funerals, people often tell jokes or funny stories about the person who died in an effort to ease the grief of those who are left behind. Some say that they wouldn’t mind going to Hell because all their friends are there or because they think Hell will be one big party. Others often make jokes about what Peter will say or do when they meet him at the pearly white gates of Heaven.

But, in all actuality, death and eternity are no laughing matter. The twelve people who died in the Charlie Hebdo terror attack are either in Heaven or Hell right now. On top of that, their families, friends, and loved ones are left behind grieving over their loss and the tragic way in which their lives were stolen from them. Death and eternity are serious business.

One day, you, too, will face the seriousness of eternity. Hopefully, it will not be in such a horrible way as was experienced by those who were killed this week. Nonetheless, such a moment will come, and the only thing that will matter at that moment is whether or not you are ready to leave this temporary life and go out into eternity.

Once we die, we will not return to this life. We will go out into eternity where we will face God and be ushered into one of two eternal destinations -- Heaven or Hell. The Bible says that some "shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." The destination where you end up is based on a decision you make in this life. Since this is the only life you get, I encourage you to choose wisely.

Heaven is a place of eternal happiness and bliss. Hell is a place of eternal sadness, grief, and pain. Matthew 7:13-14 says, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction (Hell), and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life (Heaven), and few there be that find it."

You have to choose which road you will walk on in this life. I encourage you to take the straight and narrow road by following Jesus Christ, and you will end up in Heaven with God for all eternity. You can begin following Jesus Christ by giving your life to Him today by taking the following steps...

In recent days, following the deadly terror attack at the office of a newspaper in Paris this past week, world leaders have once again sounded the alarm over the threat that radical Islam poses to Western civilization. This is not the first time that we have heard words of warning which tell us that this extremism seeks to destroy the way of life of those nations which hold to the principles of freedom, democracy, and liberty. Yet, we must be reminded, that it is not only forces from outside which can destroy a nation, but forces from inside which can destroy it as well.

Perhaps the greatest empire the world has ever known -- the Roman Empire -- met its demise not only at the hands of the barbarian tribes of Europe, but even more so by its own moral decline and descent into debauchery. Historians tell us that this decline in morals was evident even among the rich, the upper class, the emperors, and the politicians of Roman society. Promiscuous sexual behaviour was rampant. It is said that emperors such as Tiberius engaged in homosexuality; Nero had an incestuous relationship with a servant; Marcus Aurelius forced a woman who had taken a vow of chastity into marriage; and Commodus not only had a harem of concubines, but he enraged the Roman populace by sitting in the theatre dressed as a women. This decline in morals at the highest levels of society predictably affected the general population. Not only was sexual promiscuity rampant, but there was widespread gambling and drunkenness. And, of course, there were the bloodthirsty crowds always ready to be amused by gladiatorial combat in the Coliseum; and or the killing of Christians. Now don't be shocked at the Romans, for the rich and powerful of today are at least being accused of doing the same things. Do these names ring a bell… Prince Andrew, President Bill Clinton, power lawyer Alan Dershowitz, and media mogul and America's former father Bill Cosby, just to name a few.

In these dark days, we must consider whether the greatest threat to free and democratic nations is not simply Islamic extremism, but moral and spiritual decline from within. U.S. Ambassador Henry Grunwald said, "For freedom to be workable as a political system, there has to be strong inner controls; there has to be a powerful moral compass and sense of values." As we study Scripture in light of what we see happening in our society today, we cannot help but think that our society is losing its moral compass and its sense of values. And, what we have been studying in Second Timothy over the past few weeks attests to that.

We have been looking at some of the specific signs which the Bible says will become increasingly evident in the behavior and lifestyle of men during the end times. We talked about those who are so proud they are "unthankful" to God for the life He has given them as well as those who lead "unholy" lifestyles.

Today, we are going to turn our attention to the phrase "without natural affection." As you know, the Greeks had four different words to describe the four types of love. There was eros -- erotic or romantic love or lust; phileo -- the love one has for their friends; storge -- the love one has for their family members; and agape -- the selfless, sacrificial love. The Greek word used for "without natural affection" or "without natural love" is astorgos. The prefix "a" meaning without and "storgos" meaning natural love or affection.

Paul is saying that people will not even have natural, normal love for their own family members in the last days.

Many people have decried the reportedly 50% divorce rate in our society. Many people have decried the epidemic of fatherlessness in our society. If you've paid attention to the news over the past few years, it seems as if there has been an increase in the number of mothers who are trying to kill their children. Our justice system will tell us that they

Lois Picillo said, "Jesus cannot forget us; we have been graven on the palms of his hands."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #41. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 10:9-10 which reads: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Tom Malone. He said, "People know the Lord Jesus as Savior, but we need to know Him as a Friend and Sanctifier, as an Advocate, as our coming King, as our constant Companion and Friend."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

John Newton said, "Once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the Gospel which I had long laboured to destroy."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #40. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Revelation 22:17 which reads: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Felix Mantz. He said, "I will firmly adhere to Christ, and trust in Him, who is acquainted with all my needs, and can deliver me out of it."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Robert Flatt said, "The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #39. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Hebrews 7:25 which reads: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Karl Malone. He said, "I wasn't put on this Earth to play basketball, although I love to play and I love to compete. And it's a great avenue for me to experience special moments when I can help people. Two things are sacred to me—my family and my religion. I am never embarrassed by Jesus Christ. Without Him I wouldn't be in the position I am today."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Maze Jackson said, "Everything that Jesus did while He was here, He did it for you."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #38. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 which reads: "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Henry Benjamin Whipple. He said, "All we want in Christ, we shall find in Christ. If we want little, we shall find little. If we want much, we shall find much; but if, in utter helplessness, we cast our all on Christ, He will be to us the whole treasury of God."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Back in 1974, a group of scientists directed a message into the heavens. These scientists had hypothesized that as many as fifty million civilizations may exist somewhere in space, and they believed that some of them may have found methods to improve life and control the time of death. In November of 1974, these scientists, using special technology, beamed a message to a cluster of stars on the outer edge of our galaxy. If that signal were picked up by alien technology, the scientists estimated that it would take forty-eight thousand years for an answer to come back.

To some today, those efforts might seem futile and destined for failure. Yet those scientists were serious about their efforts -- they really believed that one day Earth might receive an answer back from some other intelligent life in the universe. That leads us to wonder why we as Christians, who do have contact with "another world," Heaven, sometimes act as if we don’t believe in the power of prayer. Every child of God has the ability to get in touch, not with other creatures, but with the Creator Himself. Through prayer, we have immedi­ate access to the One who stretched out the galaxies of the universe. He hears us the instant we pray and answers according to His will.

So far in this series on the principles Jesus Christ taught regarding prayer, we have looked at the following six:

1. Prayer should be a regular, everyday activity.
2. Prayer ought not to be done for the purpose of being seen by others.
3. Those who pray in a hypocritical manner -- that is to be seen by men -- will get their reward: they will be heard by men, and receive their praise from men, but they will not have their prayers answered by God.
4. Most prayer ought to be carried out faithfully in private before God alone.
5. Those who pray in secret before God will be heard by God and rewarded openly.
6. We should not use vain repetition in our prayers.

Today, we are going to look at the next principle which is that we ought to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and omniscience in our prayers. Verse 8 of our passage reads, “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” Of course, this begs the question: if God already knows what we need, why pray?

Well, first, Jesus shares this with us to remind us of God’s sovereignty. Nothing we do or say comes as a surprise to God. He already knows what we need to live our lives. When we pray, we ought not to assume that we are informing God of what is going on in our lives. As David said in Psalm 139, “O lord… Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.“

In fact, God knows our needs better than we know them. He is sovereign and omniscient. In the matter of prayer, this brings us to only one conclusion: when we pray, we are praying not for God’s sake, but for our sake. When we pray, we express our total dependence on Him for our needs and our wants. It is an act of humility for us to surrender to God and let Him know that we acknowledge His sovereignty in our lives.

Ray Pritchard explains it this way. He said, “Picture a father watching his four-year-old daughter trying to put together a puzzle. She tries and tries but she just can't get the pieces in the right place. Her father watches with great interest but he doesn't interfere. Finally, she comes over and crawls in his lap and says, ‘Daddy, would you help me put my puzzle together?’ He smiles and bends down and together they begin to pick up each piece. One by one they put the puzzle together. Now why didn't the father help his daughter earlier? For one thing, she didn't ask for his help...

Robert Flatt said, "The resurrection [of Jesus Christ] gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #37. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 20:31 which reads: "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Chiang Kai Shek. He said, "How I wish that all people would read the Bible, worship and believe in the One and Only True God! The Bible which is God’s living, inspired and true Word teaches us about the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Bible also declares that we can attain righteousness by our faith in His Son Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself through His death on the cross, and shed His blood as an offering for sin. God’s righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ exalts a nation. That has been proven historically. Christ is freedom’s rock. His love covers a multitude of sins. Everyone who believes on Him shall receive eternal life!"

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

R. A. Torrey said, "If you make a great deal of Christ, He will make a great deal of you. If you make but little of Him, He will make but little of you."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #36. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:13 which reads: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from G. Campbell Morgan. He said, "I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps He may interrupt my work and begin His own. I am not looking for death. I am looking for Him."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Henry Ward Beecher said, "Religion would save a man; Christ would make him worth saving."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #35. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Acts 2:38 which reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Tom Malone. He said, "When Christ died on the cross of Calvary, He died with you and me in mind."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

He is a center and power forward for the New York Knicks of the NBA. He was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2002 and played with the team until 2010 when he was picked up by the Knicks. Despite chronic knee problems, he won the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year Award and was a first-team All-NBA selection in 2007. He also made six appearances in the NBA All-Star Game and won a bronze medal with the United States men's national basketball team at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Although his mother and father divorced when he was young, his father died when he was 12, and his mother was in and out of jail for petty crimes, he always knew he would play basketball. Due to multiple transfers throughout high school, he missed his entire junior year of basketball. He told Dime Magazine that what 'kept him going during that difficult time was God.'

He said of his faith, "Although I didn’t start playing basketball until I was fourteen years old, I’ve been going to church my entire life. I grew up in a Christian family, and my father took us to church every Sunday and Wednesday without fail. Even though he died when I was twelve, my mother made sure that Christianity continued to be a central part of my family’s life. That’s why I have such a strong faith today. Going to church helped me develop a relationship with Jesus, and that has given me something to lean on as I have worked to reach my goals."

He went on to say, "Winning Rookie of the Year in my first season with the Suns was an incredible honor, but I know I can’t claim sole credit. I depend on God for everything I do, including playing basketball. Jesus hasn’t just given me talent though. He also gives me direction, purpose, and hope. Without Him to guide my life, I don’t know where I would have ended up. I still say my prayers every night, and God always gives me confidence and peace of mind as a result. That’s exactly what we need more of these days. I was fortunate to grow up in a Christian environment. That may not be true for you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start living for Christ right now. If you’re looking for someone to lean on, someone to guide and encourage you through these troubled times, I encourage you to begin a relationship with Jesus today."

Many people see the New Year as a time to turn over a new leaf, to turn their backs on bad habits and old ways that do not benefit them, and to make changes in their lives that will make their future better and brighter than their past. Henry Ward Beecher once said, "Every man should be born again on the first day of January."

At this time of the year, many people make New Year's resolutions that focus on changing some aspect of their outward status -- their appearance, their health, their success, their career, or their education. However, the most important change you can make at the beginning of the New Year is not an outward change at all. It is an inward change -- a change of your heart, your soul, your spirit, and your mind. The Bible calls it being "born again."

In John chapter 3, Jesus Christ explains to a man named Nicodemus that "ye must be born again." The new birth that Jesus Christ is talking about is not a physical rebirth -- one that changes how we look on the outside, but a spiritual birth. It is an inside job -- one that changes how we really are on the inside.

Why is there a need for us to change on the inside? Well, the Bible tells us that we are all sinners who have done things that do not please God. Just in the past year, you did and said things that God was not pleased with. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says "For there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not." Romans 3:23 also says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

We are born with a sin nature and are prone to doing wrong. This sin nature is not something that can be fixed by outward means. It cannot be fixed by 'turning over a new leaf', making a resolution, or joining a support group to help us change. It can only be fixed by a new birth -- a spiritual birth that is only possible through the work that Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross. If you have not had this spiritual birth, the new year is a great time to make this most important change in your life. By being "born again" through Jesus Christ, you will be given a new heart, mind, soul, and spirit. You will be free from the bondage of sin and evil; you will be a child of God; and you will have a home in Heaven. I think that is a great way to start off the New Year.

Romans 5:19: "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

In our last lesson, we saw how the effect of Adam’s sin was passed down on all humanity because we all descend from Adam. Because we are “in Adam”, the following things are also true when we are born:

1. We are separated from the life of God.
2. We are in the kingdom of darkness.
3. We are sinners.
4. We are under the power of sin.
5. We are condemned to death.

After death comes judgment. Every unsaved person will be judged for his sins. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

Every person IN ADAM is guilty before God. Some people may think that they are acceptable to God as they are, but God says otherwise. He knows the hearts of men, and, concerning Adam's race, He says in His Word: "There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understands, There is none that seeketh after God. There is none that doeth good, no, not one… For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

Now we can understand why the Bible says, "You must be born again...." Why does every person need to be born again? Because every person has been born into a sinful race which is under the condemnation of God. Every person in Adam's race is condemned. And we cannot take ourselves out of Adam's race. Doing good, being religious, joining the church—none of these things will take us out of Adam's race.

To save Adam's ruined race, God had to do something. We could not do anything to save ourselves. But because God loved us, He did something wonderful -- He sent His Son into the world to be our Saviour. First John 4:14 says, "...the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world." The Lord Jesus was crucified for our sins. He bore the sins of all men. Isaiah 53:6 says, "...the LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

God does not overlook our sins, but He forgives us for them because He sees the blood of His Son which was shed for them. By His death and resurrection the Lord Jesus made it possible for men to come out of Adam's sinful race and become members of God's family. Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ men can be BORN AGAIN.

Thus we see that God's salvation is in a Person—the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says in Romans 5:19, "For as by one man's (Adam's) disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One (the Lord Jesus) shall many be made righteous." Adam’s act of disobedience doomed the entire human race to the slavery of sin and the consequences of sin. When God sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins, He flung open the prison gates that kept us bound within and made it possible for us to escape. No longer do we have to be under the curse of Adam’s race. We can emerge from Adam’s sin-burdened family into the family of God -- the family of the forgiven and free.

In our next lesson we will find out more about GOD'S PERFECT REMEDY IN CHRIST.

So far, in this series, we have looked at four pieces of the armor which God has supplied:

1. The belt of truth -- the truth of God’s Word is the foundation to any successful spiritual warfare.

2. The breastplate of righteousness -- we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ and we must determine to live in obedience to God if we are to be victorious in spiritual warfare.

3. The shoes of the Gospel of peace -- part of our job as Christians is to faithfully carry the message of the Gospel wherever we go.

4. The shield of faith -- our faith in God and in His Word will enable us to deflect and extinguish Satan’s fiery darts.

Today, we are going to look at the fifth piece of armor -- the helmet of salvation. The Bible says, "And take the helmet of salvation…”

First of all, notice the verb “take.” This word lets us know that putting on our armor is a conscious choice. It is something that we must choose to do every day. Just being saved does not mean that we are automatically fit for battle. Some Christians go out in the world every day unprepared for warfare, and they wonder why, by the time they get home, they are defeated, depressed, and discouraged. The thing is, they let Satan beat up on them all day because they failed to put on their armor.

So, along with our other pieces of armor, we must choose to put on the helmet of salvation. The Greek word for “take” is in the aorist imperative tense which carries with it a sense of urgency. We are to pick up and put on the helmet -- and do it now!

In this verse, Paul is not talking about receiving salvation itself, for we have already received that. Rather, he is talking about the need for us to not allow the devil to destroy our assurance of salvation. Now, once you accept Christ, you are saved whether you feel like it or not. (Jesus Christ makes sure of that because it is about what He did on the cross, not about what you have done or are doing.) However, you will be more effective in your Christian life and in spiritual warfare if you are confident of your own salvation. Just as a soldier who doubts his ability to fight is timid in his approach to warfare, just like the football player who is worried about being hurt, does not play with abandon, and ends up getting hurt anyway, if you have doubts and worries about your salvation, you will be timid in your approach to spiritual life.

When Satan wants to target our assurance of salvation, where does he attack? He attacks the mind. This is why the helmet of salvation is a necessity. Steven Cole writes, “Your head is a very important part of your body, because it contains your brain, which controls everything. Your head determines how you think about all of life. How you think in large part determines how you feel and how you act....To put on the helmet of salvation requires that you learn to think biblically... You must develop a Christian mindset, a saved mindset. Your head determines how you function in all of life. If your brain is not working properly, it affects how other parts of your body work.”

Someone once said, “What you think means more than anything else in your life. More than what you earn, more than where you live, more than your social position, and more than what anyone else may think about you.”

As you face each day, how do you think about yourself? Do you see yourself as a child of God, who is no longer a slave to the devil and sin? Do you see yourself as a believer who has the power of the Holy Spirit to help resist temptation? Do you see yourself as a Christian who has already overcome the world through Jesus Christ? The condition of your mind -- what you think about your salvation and what you think about the devil’s lies -- will determine how victorious you are.

At the beginning of this new year, many of us are naturally inclined to adopt a spirit of optimism regarding the future. The symbolism of an old year passing away and a new year coming into view gives us the ability to look at the world with fresh eyes and to give ourselves a clean slate. We can’t help but think that things will be better this year, that we won’t make the same mistakes, and that the world will learn from the failures of the past year. However, often, that is not the case. As the exuberance of New Year’s Day wears off, we look around and see that the world is still pretty much the same -- or worse.

A recent Reuters news article stated the following: "From financial crisis in Russia to cyber warfare with North Korea, 2014 has generated new flashpoints right into its final days, setting 2015 up to be just as turbulent. Almost all of the major confrontations, such as the battle with Islamic State militants, the West's stand-off with Russia over Ukraine and the fight against Ebola, will rumble on. Others could erupt at short notice."

"A 2014 report by the Institute for Economics and Peace showed that world peace has been in decline for the seventh consecutive year since 2007..."

Despite this negative news, one good thing about the progress of time and the coming of the New Year is that, although we do not know the day or the hour when Jesus will return, we do know that today in 2015, we are closer to Jesus’ Second Coming than ever before. And, as we look around, we see signs in the behavior of human beings that point to that return, to the end of time, and to the end of the world.

One of those signs which we talked about last week is that people are becoming increasingly "unthankful" to God. We learned that this ingratitude is connected to pride because an ungrateful person is not willing to humble himself or herself and admit that they would not be where they are in life without God and others.

Next, Paul turns our attention to those who are "unholy." The Greek word translated "unholy" is "anosios" -- the prefix "a" meaning without, and "hosios" meaning holiness or righteousness. One of the commands we receive from God is "be ye holy for I am holy." God is perfect and righteous, and we as Christians ought to be striving to emulate Him.

However, we live in a world that is not conducive to those who wish to be holy as God is holy. We do not live in a world that celebrates and encourages those who wish to live godly. In fact, later in this same chapter, Paul writes, "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

When we look around at our society, we see that unholy living is often highlighted as something desirable or at least something that is approved of, permitted, applauded, and promoted. Ask yourself, what is celebrated on much of reality television and in much of the movie industry? Greed is celebrated and glorified as people are encouraged to pursue money and material riches. However, the Bible tells us that "the love of money is the root of all evil." Violence and killing is highlighted in movies and video games. However, the Bible tells us that "the Lord...hates the wicked and the one who loves violence." "Coming out" as a homosexual is celebrated and applauded by secular society and even governmental officials such as President Obama and Vice President Biden. However, the Bible tells us that such a lifestyle is an "abomination" in God’s sight. Our society views it as normal for two unmarried people to be sexually involved with each other and live together. However, the Bible tells us to "flee fornication." We could go on and on with more examples that show how holy living is not the norm for most in our society.

However, the unholiness that Paul is writing about goes even deeper than just people breaking the laws of God...

H.G. Wells said, "Is it any wonder that to this day this Galilean is too much for our small hearts?"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #34. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:14 which reads: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from John Wesley. He said, "The holiest of men still need Christ as their Prophet, as “the light of the world.” For He does not give them light but from moment to moment; the instant He withdraws, all is darkness. They still need Christ as their King, for God does not give them a stock of holiness. But unless they receive a supply every moment, nothing but unholiness would remain. They still need Christ as their Priest, to make atonement for their holy things. Even perfect holiness is acceptable to God only through Jesus Christ."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Lew Wallace said, "After six years given to the impartial investigation of Christianity, as to its truth or falsity, I have come to the deliberate conclusion that Jesus Christ was the Messiah of the Jews, the Saviour of the world, and my personal Saviour."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #33. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 16:25 which reads: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Daniel Webster. He said, "If I must comprehend Jesus Christ, I could not believe on Him. He would be no greater than myself. Such is my consciousness of sin and inability that I must have a superhuman Saviour."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Henry Van Dyke said, "I thank God for the honesty and virility of Jesus’ religion which makes us face the facts and calls us to take a man’s part in the real battle of life."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #32. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 1:1 which reads: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Martin Luther. He said, "In His life, Christ is an example, showing us how to live; in His death, He is a sacrifice, satisfying for our sins; in His resurrection, a conqueror; in His ascension, a king; in His intercession, a high priest."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

So far in this series, we have looked at five principles that Jesus taught regarding prayer:

1. Prayer should be a regular, everyday activity.
2. Prayer ought not to be done for the purpose of being seen by others.
3. Those who pray in a hypocritical manner — that is to be seen by men — will get their reward: they will be heard by men, and receive their praise from men, but they will not have their prayers answered by God.
4. Prayer ought to be carried out faithfully in private before God alone.
5. Those who pray in secret before God will be heard by God and rewarded openly.

Today, we are going to look at the next principle Jesus Christ gives which is, "use not vain repetitions as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."

What is "vain repetition"? "Vain repetition" is the continual reciting or repeating of meaningless words under the guise of real prayer. It is the idea that the repetition of our requests somehow makes an answer from God more likely. This type of praying is very prevalent among those who worship false gods or idols. Tibetan Buddhists have what is called a "prayer wheel" — a revolving cylinder inscribed with written prayers that they repeat. Catholics pray the rosary — a set of three prayers one of which is repeated ten times. Hare Krishna devotees have a mantra that they chant; they call it a prayer, but if you have ever actually heard it, it sounds like mindless babbling.

So, Jesus Christ is telling us that we should not engage in mindless verbal repetition when we call ourselves praying. Charles Spurgeon said, "The heathen repeat over and over again the same words…This is sheer mockery. God is not deaf or forgetful, neither does he delight in mere sounds. Prayer is the intelligent approach of the mind of man to the mind of God, and in that coming we must not think of adding to the divine knowledge, which is infinite, or dictating to the divine will, which is sovereign."

Jesus never implied that more value is to be put on prayers that are long, wordy, or fancy. One commentary noted that Jewish religious leaders were very fond of lengthening their prayers by the "abundant use of synonyms and synonymous expressions." In other words, they said the same thing over and over again using different words. These are the same people Jesus called hypocrites a few verses earlier. Their whole purpose was not to be heard by God, but to be seen by men. And they thought the longer they prayed, the more spiritual they would appear.

So, Jesus is dealing with this issue from two perspectives. First, there is the person who thinks that God hears Him by virtue of his long, rambling, repetitive prayer. That person may be sincere in his beliefs, but He is misguided. Second, there is the person who is not really interested in praying to God, but is mostly concerned with impressing other people by the length and wordiness of his prayer. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who engage in that kind of prayer in the church. They get up and pray for what seems like an eternity, and yet, God did not hear one word that they said.

Now, we also must be on guard against carrying this command to an extreme. There is nothing wrong with a long prayer. There are some beautiful long prayers in the Bible. Solomon prayed a long prayer in public at the dedication of the Temple. Nehemiah prayed a long prayer. Daniel prayed a long prayer. And all of their prayers were heard by God. So, if you have a lot to pray about, by all means, pray about those things. Just make sure that you are praying sincerely and in faith believing unto God alone.

Another thing Jesus does not intend to discourage with this command is perseverance in prayer. That is, praying repeatedly about the same thing until a prayer is answered...

So far in this series, we have looked at five principles that Jesus taught regarding prayer:

1. Prayer should be a regular, everyday activity.
2. Prayer ought not to be done for the purpose of being seen by others.
3. Those who pray in a hypocritical manner — that is to be seen by men — will get their reward: they will be heard by men, and receive their praise from men, but they will not have their prayers answered by God.
4. Prayer ought to be carried out faithfully in private before God alone.
5. Those who pray in secret before God will be heard by God and rewarded openly.

Today, we are going to look at the next principle Jesus Christ gives which is, "use not vain repetitions as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."

What is "vain repetition"? "Vain repetition" is the continual reciting or repeating of meaningless words under the guise of real prayer. It is the idea that the repetition of our requests somehow makes an answer from God more likely. This type of praying is very prevalent among those who worship false gods or idols. Tibetan Buddhists have what is called a "prayer wheel" — a revolving cylinder inscribed with written prayers that they repeat. Catholics pray the rosary — a set of three prayers one of which is repeated ten times. Hare Krishna devotees have a mantra that they chant; they call it a prayer, but if you have ever actually heard it, it sounds like mindless babbling.

So, Jesus Christ is telling us that we should not engage in mindless verbal repetition when we call ourselves praying. Charles Spurgeon said, "The heathen repeat over and over again the same words…This is sheer mockery. God is not deaf or forgetful, neither does he delight in mere sounds. Prayer is the intelligent approach of the mind of man to the mind of God, and in that coming we must not think of adding to the divine knowledge, which is infinite, or dictating to the divine will, which is sovereign."

Jesus never implied that more value is to be put on prayers that are long, wordy, or fancy. One commentary noted that Jewish religious leaders were very fond of lengthening their prayers by the "abundant use of synonyms and synonymous expressions." In other words, they said the same thing over and over again using different words. These are the same people Jesus called hypocrites a few verses earlier. Their whole purpose was not to be heard by God, but to be seen by men. And they thought the longer they prayed, the more spiritual they would appear.

So, Jesus is dealing with this issue from two perspectives. First, there is the person who thinks that God hears Him by virtue of his long, rambling, repetitive prayer. That person may be sincere in his beliefs, but He is misguided. Second, there is the person who is not really interested in praying to God, but is mostly concerned with impressing other people by the length and wordiness of his prayer. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who engage in that kind of prayer in the church. They get up and pray for what seems like an eternity, and yet, God did not hear one word that they said.

Now, we also must be on guard against carrying this command to an extreme. There is nothing wrong with a long prayer. There are some beautiful long prayers in the Bible. Solomon prayed a long prayer in public at the dedication of the Temple. Nehemiah prayed a long prayer. Daniel prayed a long prayer. And all of their prayers were heard by God. So, if you have a lot to pray about, by all means, pray about those things. Just make sure that you are praying sincerely and in faith believing unto God alone.

Another thing Jesus does not intend to discourage with this command is perseverance in prayer. That is, praying repeatedly about the same thing until a prayer is answered...

Theodore of Studios said, "How splendid the cross of Christ! It brings life, not death; light, not darkness; paradise, not its loss. It is the wood on which the Lord, like a great warrior,was wounded in hands and feet and side, but healed thereby our wounds. A tree had destroyed us; a tree now brought us life."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #31. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Philippians 4:7 which reads: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from the first Harvard University Student Handbook. It said, "Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life; and therefore to lay Jesus Christ as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of him."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Thomas à Kempis said, "Follow me: I am the way, the truth, and the life. Without the way there is no going; Without the truth there is no knowing; Without the life there is no living."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #30. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Romans 5:8 which reads: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said, "Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and Jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of Christ’s three-year ministry infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all antiquity."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Watchman Nee said, "Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #29. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Galatians 2:20 which reads: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Mickey Mantle. He said, "I'll just say, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.' I am trusting Christ’s death for me to take me to heaven."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Romans 5:12: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

In our previous lessons, we saw how sin came into the world. First, Satan rebelled against God and set up a kingdom opposed to God. Then Adam, when he was tempted, also rebelled against God.

Satan said, I will, and set his will against God's will. Then Adam said in his heart, "I will" and set his will against the will of God.

Adam's sin affected each part of his being — spirit, soul, and body. Adam's spirit was cut off from God's life. His soul was affected by sin. His body became subject to physical death because "the wages of sin is death."

In this lesson we are going to see the awful consequences of Adam's sin upon the human race. We will see MAN'S COMPLETE RUIN IN SIN.

Why should we worry about Adam and what happened to him? The reason is this: Adam was the head of the human race -- he was the first man. Since Adam was the head of the human family, what happened to him affected the whole human family, and it affected you and me. God did not create millions of people to populate the earth. He created only one man Adam. From this one man came all human life. Thus God sees the whole human race as being IN ADAM.

How did we get into Adam? By birth! All who are born into the human family are IN ADAM.

What does it mean to be in Adam? To be in Adam means to share in all that Adam was and all that he did. Certain things are true of every person in Adam. Here are five of them:

1. He is separated from the life of God.
2. He is in the kingdom of darkness.
3. He is a sinner.
4. He is under the power of sin.
5. He is condemned to death.

Now we are going to consider each of these five things and see how they came about.

1. Adam's Sin Separated Men from the Life of God. To be separated from the life of God is to be spiritually dead. God told Adam that when he ate of the fruit that had been forbidden to him, he would “surely die.” Adam's sin resulted in spiritual death, not only for himself, but also for the entire human race. All men became separated from the life of God. Why? Because all men are IN ADAM.

2. Adam's Sin Brought the Human Race into the Kingdom of Darkness. When Adam rebelled against God, he took sides with Satan, the first rebel. He came into the kingdom of darkness, of which Satan is ruler. Thus Adam came under the power of Satan. Since Adam was the head of the human race, he took the whole human race into the kingdom of darkness.

3. Adam's Sin Resulted in a Race of Sinners. As created by God, Adam was a God-centered man. He loved God and wanted to do God's will. God was king upon the throne of his heart. After Adam sinned, a change took place in his heart. Instead of loving God and wanting to do His will, Adam now loved himself and wanted to do his own will. God no longer reigned as king in his heart. Instead, Self was upon the throne of his heart. Adam now had a sinful nature.

So far, in this series, we have looked at three pieces of the armor which God has supplied:

1. The belt of truth -- we must understand that our belief in the truth of God’s Word is the foundation to any successful spiritual warfare.

2. The breastplate of righteousness -- we must understand that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ and we must determine to live in obedience to God if we are to be victorious in spiritual warfare.

3. The shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of peace -- we must understand that part of our job as Christians is to faithfully carry the message of the Gospel wherever we go.

Today, we are going to look at the fourth piece of armor -- the shield of faith. The Bible says, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

Now, the Roman shield, which was what Paul was using as a model, was a very large, slightly curved rectangular shield featuring at its center a large metal knob (called a boss). The shield was an impressive tool of defense. Some of these shields were three and a half feet tall and almost three feet wide, and soldiers were afforded a great deal of protection from enemies.

One of the famous tactics of the Roman infantry is called the tortoise formation in which the soldiers advanced against their enemy as a single, tight, compact unit. The soldiers on the outside of this unit would hold their shields so that the edges were touching the shields of the soldiers to their right and left. The soldiers in the middle of this unit would hold their shields above their head, again with the edges touching the shields of those around them. One of the benefits of this formation is that it protected the soldiers from the arrows of their enemies.

The Bible tells us that our shield of faith is meant to deflect the flaming darts (or arrows) of the wicked one. First of all, what is faith, and how is it meant to be used as a shield? The Bible’s definition of faith states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” At its very core, faith is a strong, unyielding belief in God Almighty and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ even though we can’t see them. However, this faith is not belief based on nothing. Rather, this belief is based on the solid foundation of God’s Word. It is our firm belief in the Word of God which deflects the flaming arrows of the wicked one.

The second question we must ask is what are the fiery darts which the enemy shoots at us? These fiery darts are meant to tear at our faith, our belief, and our confidence in the Word of God. The devil knows that if he can get us to stop believing the Word of God and start acting on our feelings or our own human ideas, he can eventually defeat us.

He is a retired American soccer player. He last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer. Although he spent eleven years as a defender for the United States national team, he spent most of his career playing for D.C. United. In 2011, he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. In 1998, he helped United win both the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Champions Cup and the InterAmerican Cup. In 1997, he was named the MLS Defender of the Year.

He said of his faith, "I grew up going to church every Sunday with my family. Although church was meaningful to me, it soon became more of a routine than a heartfelt faith. That began to change during my freshman year at the University of North Carolina. I was playing both soccer and football. It was a grueling time because I had two practices a day for each sport I was playing. It wasn’t long before I was exhausted. Then a teammate gave me a card that contained some Psalms from the Bible. They made a lot of sense to me. They also provided me with the peace and strength I needed to get through each day."

He went on to say, "I came to realize that God is a 'personal' God. His Word can be applied in every situation. I also realized it was time to quit going through the motions, to stop treating my relationship with God as a routine and to start making it the foundation of my life. So, in a strange way, soccer has forced me to develop a relationship with God. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. With all the traveling and being away from family, having God as part of my daily routine is essential—even though He is anything but routine. Life is too short to live without God. He is a necessity."

This past week, the world celebrated the Christmas holiday. As part of the festivities, millions of people gave and received Christmas gifts. As has become customary, many of those who received gifts showed up at a store on the day after Christmas to return their gift in exchange for something else that they really wanted.

Those who liked the gifts they received will still have to deal with maintaining those gifts in order to keep them in good condition. However, eventually, a shiny new gift will one day become worn out and not so shiny or new.

What if I told you that there is a gift that you can receive that you would never consider wanting to return? What if I told you that there is a gift that you can receive that would not just make you excited and happy for a few moments, but would give you permanent peace and joy as you go through this life? What if I told you that there is a gift that you can receive that will be of more benefit and blessing to your life as you enter the New Year than anything you could possibly imagine? What if I told you that this is a gift that will never grow old, that will never decay, and that will never fall into disrepair or disuse? And, perhaps best of all, what if I told you that this gift is absolutely free and that it is being offered to you right now?

It might sound too good to be true, but everything I just told you is, in fact, a reality. Each of those things can be found in "the gift of God which is eternal life in Jesus Christ." Having eternal life means that you are reborn spiritually so that you can fellowship and communicate with God, your Creator. It also means that when you die, you do not have to go to an awful place of punishment, but that you will go to a wonderful paradise called Heaven to be with God forever. This gift is truly the greatest gift in all the world. And Jesus Christ is offering it to you right now.

Romans 6:23 says, "the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Allow me to share with you three wonderful things about this gift.

1. Eternal life is a purchased gift. You did not have to pay for any Christmas gifts you received. The person giving it to you already purchased it. You do not have to pay anything for eternal life either, because, it too, has already been purchased. Acts 20:28 tells us that Jesus Christ "hath purchased it with his own blood." Jesus Christ lived a perfect life on earth, and then went to the cross and bled and died for your sins and mine. By shedding His holy blood, He suffered the punishment that we deserve for our sins. By His death, He paid our sin debt.

2. Eternal life is a personal gift. If someone bought you a gift, it only makes sense that they try to make sure that you personally receive it. You may accept or reject their gift, but it is your personal decision. Receiving eternal life is a personal decision as well. John 3:7 says, "Ye must be born again." Acts 16:31 says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Believing on Jesus Christ in order to receive eternal life is a personal decision you have to make.

3. Eternal life is a precious gift. It is a gift of extreme value. The Bible says that those who have received eternal life "have obtained like precious faith through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Eternal life is a gift of value far beyond all the riches and wealth in this world. Eternal life, once you have it, is a gift you wouldn't dream of returning or getting rid of.

Blaise Pascal said, "Without Jesus Christ man must be in vice and misery; with Jesus Christ man is free from vice and misery; in Him is all our virtue and all our happiness. Apart from Him there is but vice, misery, darkness, death, despair."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #28. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is John 10:10 which reads: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Albert Schweitzer. He said, "Jesus means something to our world because a mighty spiritual force streams forth from him and flows through our being also. This fact can neither be shaken nor confirmed by any historical discovery. It is the solid foundation of Christianity."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

This past week, thousands of people in Indonesia marked the 10 year anniversary of one of the most devastating natural disasters in recorded history. On December 26, 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck in the Indian Ocean triggering a powerful tsunami that smashed into the shorelines of 14 countries with over 100 foot waves, demolishing towns and killing more than a quarter of a million people around the region. A young lady who was working with the International Red Cross recalled landing in Indonesia two days after the tsunami struck. She said the words of the people who met them first when they arrived were simply, “Go back, go back, go back! This is hell. This is the end of the world.”

As we look around at the turmoil, unrest, war, persecution, violence, hatred, immorality, and animosity in our world, I feel that some of us would be inclined to describe our situation like those Indonesians did ten years ago -- “This is hell. This is the end of the world.”

Well, the Bible tells us that it is certainly getting near to the end of the world. So far in this series, we have looked at three broad topics that indicate that we are nearing the end times: (1) Increased selfishness, (2) Increased lawlessness, and (3) Increased religiosity. In our last message, we talked about the increase of “blasphemers” -- those who reject God, the laws of God, and the people of God.

The next sign that Paul talks about is that of those who are "unthankful." The Greek word used here is "acharistoi" (A-KA-RIS-TOY), which literally means "without grace." The prefix "a" means without and "charis" (KA-RIS) means grace. One of the things we all ought to be thankful or grateful for is the grace offered to us by God. The meaning of the word translated "grace" is to show favor or kindness to someone. God showed favor and kindness to humanity by sending His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins so that we could have a home in Heaven.

However, Paul tells us that in the last days, people will be ungrateful or unthankful. They will despise the gift of God and the grace of God. They will turn their backs on it and reject it. This word tells us that there will be people who are utterly devoid of feelings of gratitude to God.

Last week, we talked about "blasphemers", and included in their number are atheists who say there is no God. If they do not believe in God, they cannot and will not be thankful toward Him for the simple everyday blessings that they experience -- blessings such as life, health, strength, food to eat, clothes to wear, and a place to stay. Since they reject God, they cannot be grateful for the greatest blessing -- Jesus Christ himself.

A person who is ungrateful refuses to recognize the debt they owe to God and others. This kind of ungratefulness is closely connected to pride. An ungrateful person feels that they have made it on their own, that everything they accomplished they accomplished without the help of others and the favor of God.

Imagine a child who is ungrateful. They wouldn't be born without their parents. They wouldn't have survived without their parents. Their parents fed them, clothed them, made sure they grew up healthy, facilitated their education, and so on. And, yet, the child refuses to say "thank you," and he or she acts as if everything they have gained and accomplished they did on their own. Of course, no child in their right mind would have this kind of perspective. Simply put, they would not be alive without their parents. Yet, many people go through life acting as if they are completely responsible for their own success and achievements.

The words of King Lear remain true: "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!" As a parent, you wouldn't appreciate such an attitude in a child. However, God has to put up with that kind of ingratitude from His creation ev

Rick Joyner said, "In Christ, troubles are turned into triumph, so in Him we look at what is coming as the times of the greatest triumphs the world has ever known!"

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #27. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Proverbs 3:5-6 which reads: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Jeffrey E. Ramey. He said, "Who decides what is right and wrong in the world? Who has the authority to define morality for all of creation? It is not the courts, congress, the media, public opinion, the 'politically correct' police, the 'tolerance' brigade or even the church. The only answer has been, is and always will be Jesus Christ. You can find His opinion on a great variety of subjects in His best seller...The Bible."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Hans Kueng said, "After the fall of so many gods in this century, this person, broken at the hands of his opponents and constantly betrayed through the ages by his adherents, is obviously still for innumerable people the most moving figure in the long history of mankind."

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #26. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Philippians 4:13 which reads: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from H.G. Wells. He said, "The doctrine of the Kingdom of Heaven, which was the main teaching of Jesus, is certainly one of the most revolutionary doctrines that ever stirred and changed human thought."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Leo Tolstoy said, "Men need to only trust in Christ and His teaching and obey it, and there will be peace on earth. "

This is Daniel Whyte III with Just Jesus, a podcast designed to celebrate the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the impact He has on the world, and the salvation He offers for all people. This is episode #25. The aim of this podcast is to encourage you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to begin to live your life according to His Word.

Our Just Jesus passage from the Word of God today is Luke 2:11-14 which reads: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Our featured Just Jesus quote today is from Charles J. Rolls. He said, "As a name, Jesus is more grandly honoured and more grievously hated, more acclaimed and more accused than any other. We find it imprinted over six hundred times on the pages of the four Gospels, and it is the most charming, consoling, comforting name by which our beloved Saviour is known."

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." In the early days after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the people we now call followers of Christ or Christians simply called their new faith "The Way." Yes, the Way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Way to joy, the Way to peace, and the Way to eternal life with God in Heaven. Do you want to know The Way to all these blessings? Let me show you how.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Until next time,

Remember, "At the end of the day only one thing matters, and that's Jesus, Just Jesus, and nothing else."

Many names and titles are used to describe Jesus Christ throughout the Christmas season. he is our Lord, our Savior, our King. He is Immanuel, God With Us. In the traditional Christmas hymns, He is the newborn King, the everlasting Lord, the everlasting light, the incarnate Deity, the holy child of Bethlehem, and the offspring of the Virgin's womb. What beautiful names; what beautiful titles. But, perhaps, the description of most consequence to us as sinful, humans is found in the hymn, "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing." The hymn says:

Mild He lays His glory by
born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth
born to give them second birth.

These few words give us not another name for Jesus, but a description of the effect of His actions on Earth. He laid aside His own rights and came to this earth to die for our sins, that those who trust in Him might not die in their sins, and have eternal life. He was born that we might be born again. As John the Baptist famously put it, He is the "lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world."

Jesus Christ came because we could not save ourselves. The angel told Joseph, "thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins." Now, I doubt if Joseph was a theologian. Like a normal Jewish